New Decent Homes Standard plans revealed

Plans for a new Decent Homes Standard and £40,000 fines for serious health hazards in privately rented properties have been announced by the Government today. 

Ministers are consulting on the new standard, which will be introduced as part of changes coming in under the Renters’ Rights Bill once it becomes law. 

The new standard will replace the existing Decent Homes Standard, which currently only applies to social housing – with the new rules to apply to both the social and private rented sectors. 

In what is a victory for common sense, the Government will ditch an existing rule that states all kitchens and bathrooms must be replaced once they reach a certain age – regardless of whether they are still in good condition. 

The NRLA has long made the case that age is not a suitable metric for kitchens and bathrooms in the private rented sector (PRS) and we are glad to see the Government has listened. 

Other major changes open for discussion in the consultation are proposals that would make it mandatory to: 

• Provide floor coverings such as carpets in every room at the start of a tenancy 
• Meet new security standards when installing new windows and doors 
• Install window restrictors – to help prevent accidental falls. 

How will the new standard be measured? 

Under the plans revealed today, five main criteria will need to be met. For it to be deemed ‘Decent’ a home must: 

• 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 new ‘thermal comfort requirements’ related to minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES) 
• Be free of any damp or mould. 

This final criterion is in addition to Awaab’s Law which will compel landlords to take action to tackle damp and mould within set timelines. This will be in force in the social sector from October this year and will be extended to the PRS under the Renters’ Rights Bill. 

When is the Government planning to introduce the new rules? 

The suggested implementation date for the new Decent Homes Standard is either 2035 or 2037, with 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 2030. 

New enforcement powers for councils, which include the increased penalty amounts of 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. 

What does the NRLA think? 

The NRLA’s chief executive Ben Beadle said all landlords should be providing safe, warm and comfortable homes – with 79 per cent of private rented homes already meet the existing Decent Homes Standard, despite it not being legally binding on the sector. 

He said: ‘Good landlords have nothing to fear from a Decent Homes Standard, and I was pleased to see the Government has taken on NRLA recommendations to abolish arbitrary dates for kitchen and bathroom replacements and will instead focus on whether they are good quality and fit for purpose. 

“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.” 

How do I respond to the consultation? 

We will be making a formal response to the consultation, which is being carried out by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and would encourage you to do the same to ensure your voice is heard.  

The consultation opened today and will close at 11.45pm on 10th September. 

To submit your response, click here. 

More information

• When it comes to property standards Safe2 is the NRLA's one stop shop for all things compliance, allowing you to order any required safety certificate with just a click of a button. For more information click here.
• The NRLA's award-winning training academy offers a range of courses on safety and property standards, with a full list available here. There is also guidance on property standards in our resource centre.
• To help get ready for all the changes coming up under the new Renters' Rights Bill visit our exclusive member hub here, or why not take our Renters' Rights Bill training course to help you prepare.