The Government has launched a consultation on a new Decent Homes Standard for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in England. The consultation, running until 10^th October, will explore how to define and enforce the new standard.

Current proposals would bring the PRS in line with the Decent Homes Standard used in social housing, which requires properties to comply as follows:

• Be free from Category 1 hazards  
• Be in a reasonable state of repair – with clear parameters laid out as to what this means 
• Have reasonably modern facilities 
• Meet ‘thermal comfort requirements’ related to minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) 
• Free of any damp or mould 

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook comments: “Everyone deserves the security and comfort of a safe, warm and decent home.

“Yet far too many of those living in social and privately rented homes have to put up with substandard conditions.

“The standard in its current form no longer reflects the present-day needs of tenants or landlords and it is falling short when it comes to addressing fundamental problems with our social housing stock. For these reasons and more, it needs to be modernised.  

“It also needs to be expanded because when it comes to quality and safety, transformational and lasting change cannot be confined only to those in social rented homes.

“Regardless of who is your landlord, there should be a universally accepted and understood minimum standard of safe and decent housing for all tenants and landlords across the country. That is why our Renters’ Rights Bill extends the Decent Home Standards to the PRS for the first time.”

Scope of the proposed standard and consultation aims

The proposed changes to the current Decent Homes Standard standard will include:

• Update the definition of disrepair removing the current age requirement and placing greater emphasis on the actual condition of the property.
• Revise the list of building components which must be kept in a reasonable state of repair such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Introduce a window restrictor requirement to prevent falls.
• Consider a new home security requirement.  
• Consider a requirement for floor coverings for new tenancies.   
• Streamline and update the thermal comfort requirements.  
• Introduce a new standard for damp and mould.

The government is also seeking views on transitional periods and support for landlords needing to bring properties up to the new requirements.

The suggested implementation date for the new Decent Homes Standard is either 2035 or 2037. The long lead-in time giving the sector time to get to grips with new minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) set to be introduced to all tenancies – in both the private and social sectors – by 2028 for new tenancies and 2030 for existing tenancies. 

New enforcement powers for councils, including increased penalty amounts up to £40,000 for non-compliance with enforcement action would be introduced ahead of the Decent Homes Standard, although no set timeframe is suggested.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) meanwhile backed the aim of driving up standards but emphasised that robust enforcement must be matched by local authority capacity.

NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle says: “Decent and safe housing should be the bedrock of the rental market. Any landlord failing to provide this should have no place in the private rented sector.

“79 per cent of private rented homes already meet the existing Decent Homes Standard, despite it not being legally binding on the sector. We want to ensure every rented home is of a decent quality.   
    
“We welcome publication of the Government’s proposals and will engage positively as they consult on them. Landlords, letting agents, tenants and councils need a clear, coherent and workable set of standards to meet. 

“However, setting this standard is only part of the solution. Without effective and properly resourced enforcement by councils, the minority of rogue and criminal landlords will continue to undermine tenants’ confidence and damage the reputation of the wider sector. It is time to find and root out poor practice for good.”