English Housing Survey
About the survey
The English Housing Survey is the only comprehensive source of information on the national housing situation. It’s used by the government, charities and businesses to make decisions that could have an impact on your area.
With the current shortage of good quality housing in England, reliable information is essential in understanding how to improve things.
Essential information
The English Housing Survey is the main source of information about people’s housing circumstances and the condition of homes in England. The results are used by government, local councils and housing associations, as well as charities and construction businesses. The study is funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (previously known as the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities).
All kinds of people, all kind of homes
We want to collect up-to-date information from all types of households – including homeowners and people renting from private landlords, as well as renters in housing association or local authority homes.
Make a difference in your area
The results help us to understand whether housing conditions are getting better or worse and to find out what people think of their neighbourhoods. It’s also used to understand how to help people find an affordable home, how to improve energy efficiency and to make sure government funding ends up with the people who need it most. These are all issues which may affect your local area.
Notice
From July 2024, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has become the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Click 'Read more' below to access their dedicated English Housing Survey webpage for official government information, statistics and publications.
Read moreWhy take part?
This research will shape the future of housing policy in your area
For those who take part, as well as a chance to have your say, we’ll give you a gift voucher as a thank you.
A token of our appreciation
As a thank you, we send a voucher to households taking part in the survey.
How the English Housing Survey makes a difference
This research will help shape the future of housing policy in your area – which could affect your family, friends and neighbourhood.
In the past, the survey has had a big influence on important government policies. Through Right to Buy and Help to Buy schemes, millions of people have bought the home where they live. The Winter Fuel Allowance has benefitted millions of people over 65, and thanks to the Green Deal households are now saving money on bills with new boilers, insulation and solar panels.
A little time to make a big difference
It’s easy to say no to our interviewers, but we hope you don’t. We’re not asking for money, just that you spare a little time to share your thoughts and opinions. We know your time is precious, but our work really does make a difference. We help government and charities to make the right decisions about the big issues.
Why have I been chosen?
Why you’re so important to us
We’ve chosen your address at random to make sure we get a truly representative picture of everyone in England. Your address can’t be replaced by another one, as this would bias the results.
We want to hear from everyone
It’s really important to us and our clients that our research represents the views of everyone living in the UK. Whether you’re old or young, rich or poor, living in Land’s End or Berwick-upon-Tweed, we value your opinion.
Whoever you are, whatever you think, wherever you live, your opinion is important to us. Taking part in the survey is an opportunity to make your experience part of the picture, so that influential people who make the decisions in government and charities get an accurate picture of homes in England and the households that live in them.
What's involved?
Interviewer visit
If you have recently received a letter asking you to take part, one of our interviewers will visit in the next week or so to ask you to take part and arrange a suitable time to carry out the interview.
So that you know who they are, all of our interviewers carry ID.
We understand that you may be busy, so we’ll organise the interview at a time and place that suits you. If for any reasons you are unable to complete the interview in person, you have the possibility to complete the interview over the telephone.
The interview
Your interviewer will ask you about a range of topics including your housing circumstances, satisfaction with your home and neighbourhood, and energy efficiency in your home.
And don’t worry – you don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to, we can just skip on to the next one.
No need to prepare
There’s no need to prepare for the interview. You don’t need any special knowledge, we just want to hear about your daily life and what you think. Most people agree to be interviewed and enjoy taking part.
Privacy notice
In this privacy notice, we explain the legal basis for data processing, who will have access to personal data, how the data will be used, stored and deleted, and who can be contacted with a query or a complaint.
Read moreWhat we've found out
To find out more about homes and housing across England, and how the situation has changed over the years, visit the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Communities website.
Our pledge to you
We respect your wishes
Taking part is voluntary and you do not have to answer any questions you don’t want to. Just let your interviewer know and they will move on to the next question.
We answer your questions
Your interviewer will be happy to answer any questions you have about the study which aren’t covered here.
We ensure your safety
All our interviewers carry photographic ID cards and have been checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly the Criminal Records Bureau). We welcome any feedback you have about your experience with our interviewers.
We guard your privacy
Your information will be used by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (formerly the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities or DLUHC) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero or DESNZ (previously the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy or BEIS) for the production of statistics only.
You will never receive any junk mail as a result of speaking to us. We never pass on your details to other organisations for commercial purposes.
Where can I find out more?
Click here to find more information about how we protect your data on the English Housing Survey.
Contact us
If you’ve any questions at all, you can get in touch with us by phone or email.
You can contact a member of the English Housing Survey team using the free phone number 0800 652 4572.
Alternatively, email your enquiry to EHS@natcen.ac.uk.
Support
Increases in the cost of living and energy prices means this is a difficult time for many people. If you would like advice or guidance, or to talk to someone about your housing needs or your housing costs, you may find the organisations and websites listed below helpful.
The Money Advice Service offers free and impartial money advice. It has advice if you are in arrears or have problems with:
paying your mortgage
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/mortgage-arrears-if-you-have-problems-paying-your-mortgage
paying your rent
https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/rent-arrears-problems-paying-your-rent
Citizens Advice is a government funded organisation that offers advice and guidance on a range of housing issues.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/
The Government provides information on support available to help with the cost of living, along with money and energy saving tips