The English House Condition Survey

Why is the survey being carried out?

The information collected by the English House Condition Survey (EHCS) is the main source of information on the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. The survey builds a picture of all types of housing, whether owner-occupied or owned by local authorities, housing associations, or private landlords.

What topics does the survey cover?

The interview will include questions on your home and neighbourhood, work recently done on your home, and background information about your household. The government uses this information to:

• Measure whether housing conditions are getting better or worse and how satisfied people are with their home and neighbourhood.
• Monitor progress towards the government's aim to ensure everyone has the opportunity of living in a decent home. The results from this survey will tell us whether what is being done to improve standards in both public and private housing is working.
• Target resources to where they are most needed. Over £8 billion of public money is spent annually on housing related work. This survey is used to ensure funding for housing is directed to the people, areas, and regions where it is most needed.

How is the survey being done?

We want to ensure that all types of housing across England are represented. To visit every home however, would take too long and cost too much so we have selected a number of addresses in different regions for our interviewers to visit.

Addresses are chosen at random to take part in the survey from the Post Office list of addresses. The survey is voluntary but it is important for each household contacted to take part, whatever their circumstances, as we want to ensure that all types of housing across England are represented. Even if you have only recently moved in or are planning to move in the near future, the information you give us is necessary to ensure that we have a proper mix of households and properties.

Which organisations are involved in the survey?

The survey is carried out by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Miller Mitchell Burley Lane (MMBL) on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Will my answers be treated in confidence?

Yes. The information you provide is treated with the strictest confidence by the survey team of the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Communities and Local Government, Miller Mitchell Burley Lane and their appointed contractors, as directed by the National Statistics Code of Practice. It is used to produce anonymous statistics for decision-making in government and for genuine research purposes only.

In addition to staff from the survey team, other staff of the Government Statistical Service, Universities and other commercial or research organisations may apply for access to detailed but anonymous data from the survey. When approved, these staff sign an agreement to abide by the same code of practice and its confidentiality clauses. No information which could identify you or your household will be passed to other civil servants or local authorities, commercial organisations or the press.

When is the research taking place?

From April 2002 the EHCS has been running on a continuous basis with fieldwork conducted in four two-month periods throughout the year.

How will the results be made available?

Analysis and reporting of the survey's results is undertaken by the DCLG.

Previous reports can be viewed at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/ehcs

This page last revised: Tuesday, 4 November 2008