Housing Standards

This page provides an overview of the housing standards that apply to housing within Scotland, namely:

The Tolerable Standard

This is the basic requirement a house must meet to be considered suitable to live in.  It applies to homeowners, tenants of private and social landlords (council and housing associations).  A house meets the tolerable standard if it:


a)is structurally stable; 

b) is substantially free from rising or penetrating damp; 

c) has satisfactory provision for natural and artificial lighting, for ventilation and for heating; 
ca) has satisfactory thermal insulation; 

d) has an adequate piped supply of wholesome water available within the house; 

e) has a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water within the house; 

f) has a water closet or waterless closet available for the exclusive use of the occupants of the house and suitably located within the house;
fa)   has a fixed bath or shower and a wash-hand basin, each provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water and suitably located within the house; 

g) has an effective system for the drainage and disposal of foul and surface water;
ga)  the case of a house having a supply of electricity, it complies with the relevant requirements in relation to the electrical installations for the purposes of that supply; 

h) has satisfactory facilities for the cooking of food within the house;  

i) has satisfactory access to all external doors and outbuildings. 

j) has satisfactory equipment for detecting and giving warning of, fire or suspected fire 

k) has satisfactory equipment for detecting, and for giving warning of, carbon monoxide present in a concentration that is hazardous to health 

Source:  The Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 (s.87 - as amended) 

Please see:

  • our Below Tolerable Standard Strategy page for information on how Falkirk Council will comply with its duties to deal with housing that does not meet the Tolerable Standard
  • our Awaab's Law page for information on the regulations, effective from 6/10/26 in relation to damp and mould

The Repairing Standard

Homes let in the private rented sector must also meet the Repairing Standard at the start and throughout the tenancy.

a) The house meets the Tolerable Standard

b) The house is wind and water tight and in all other respects reasonably fit for human habitation

c) The structure and exterior of the house (including drains, gutters and external pipes) are in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order

d) The installations in the house for the supply of water, gas, electricity (including residual current devices) (must be free from lead pipes) and any other type of fuel and for sanitation, space heating by a fixed heating system and heating water are in a reasonable state of repair and in property working order

e) Any fixtures, fittings and appliances provided by the landlord under the tenancy are in a reasonable state of repair and in proper working order

f) Any furnishings provided by the landlord under the tenancy are capable of being used safely for the purpose for which they are designed

g) Satisfactory provision for, and safe access to a food storage area and food preparation space

h) Common parts pertaining to the house can be safely accessed and used (permission exemptions apply)

i) Where a house is in a tenement, common doors are secure and fitted with satisfactory emergency exit locks

Further information is available within Repairing Standard: statutory guidance for private landlords

Please see our Private Rented Sector: Property Requirements and Enforcing Standards (insert link) page for further information.

Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS)

Social housing providers are required to maintain their stock to Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS), this includes the five broad areas:

  • Must meet the Tolerable Standard
  • Must be Free from Serious Disrepair
  • Must be Energy Efficient
  • Must have Modern Facilities and Services
  • Must be Healthy, Safe and Secure

Exemptions from meeting this standard are permitted for specific social and technical reasons in line with Scottish Government guidance. Compliance with the Scottish Housing Quality Standard (SHQS), including approved exemptions, is reported by social landlords through the Scottish Social Housing Charter.

The Scottish Housing Regulator monitors landlords' performance against these requirements through annual regulatory returns. Published landlord information and national reports allow tenants and stakeholders to compare performance across social landlords.

Information on how Falkirk Council's is meeting the SHQS is available at Housing performance: Scottish Social Housing Charter

Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH)

The Scottish Government also introduced a new Energy Efficiency Standard for Social Housing (EESSH) which is aimed at reducing carbon emissions and eradicating fuel poverty. The EESSH sets a minimum Energy Efficiency rating for social landlords to achieve for their properties.

The first milestone set a target of a minimum EPC C or D, by 31 December 2020, dependent on dwelling and fuel type. Information on the future milestones is available from the Scottish Government website at: Energy efficiency in social housing .

EESSH is monitored by the Scottish Housing Regulator. The collection of EESSH data is currently paused until future milestones are agreed.

Information on how Falkirk Council is meeting EESSH is available at Council housing: Improvements and modernisation