One of the key focuses of UK housing legislation is making sure that rental properties meet a good standard, and the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) plays a big role in this. Originally introduced for social housing, the government is now working to extend the Decent Homes Standard into the private rental sector. This means that landlords will have to meet higher housing standards for their rental properties.
But what exactly is the Decent Homes Standard, and how does it impact landlords and tenants? In this article, we will break down what it means, and what changes could be entering the private rental sector.
What is the Decent Homes Standard?
The Decent Homes Standard sets the minimum housing standards for social housing within England and Northern Ireland (this excludes leasehold and properties that have shared ownership). It ensures that properties are warm, safe, and functional for all tenants. Around 21% of privately rented homes are considered non-decent, and more than 500,000 contain serious hazards.
The Decent Homes Standard has been under review for several years, but in 2022, the government consulted on applying it to the private rental sector. Following this, in October 2024, the government said that it will consult on a proposed new Decent Homes Standard in early 2025. In the government’s white paper ‘A Fairer Private Rented Sector‘, they committed to halving the number of non-decent rental homes by 2030. The new Decent Homes Standard will set clear expectations.
Decent Homes Standard checklist
For a home to meet the Decent Homes Standard, it must meet the following housing standards:
- The property meets the current statutory minimum for housing: Meaning it is free from serious hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.
- There are reasonably modern facilities within the property: This means that kitchens need to be less than 20 years old, and that bathrooms are under 30 years old. Noise insulation and sufficient common entrance areas are also required.
- A reasonable degree of thermal comfort is provided: Properties must have efficient heating and proper insulation. The heating systems must be able to heat two or more rooms in the home. For oil and gas heating, cavity wall insulation or 50mm of loft insulation is required. For electric storage heaters or solid fuel heating, 200mm loft insulation is necessary.
- The property is in a reasonable state of repair: This includes things like the roof, chimneys, kitchens, heating systems etc, and that they aren’t significantly dated or damaged.
When will the Decent Homes Standard be introduced in the private rental sector?
The government plans to introduce the Decent Homes Standard in the private rental sector through the Renters Rights Bill, which will be introduced by the end of Spring 2025. There is no exact date for the implementation of the Decent Homes Standard, but Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has stated that it’s set to launch “as soon as possible”.
What happens if a home fails the housing standards?
If the council agrees that your property doesn’t meet the minimum housing standards, they will issue you with an improvement notice. This improvement notice will include what you need to fix and the certain date it needs to be fixed by. As well as this, they could also issue a prohibition notice which stops parts of your property from being used.
How landlords can prepare for the Decent Homes Standard
To help landlords prepare for the upcoming Decent Homes Standard, it’s important to take proactive steps to ensure their properties are compliant with the new regulations. Here are a few ways landlords can get prepared for higher housing standards:
Conduct a thorough property inspection
Start by conducting a thorough inspection of the property’s condition, paying attention to any hazards, electrical systems, plumbing, and heating systems. For any damp issues, structural damage, or outdated heating systems, hire a professional to carry out detailed inspections. Catching issues early on allows landlords to implement maintenance early on to ensure timely compliance.
Upgrade heating systems
Ensure the property meets the thermal comfort standards by checking and improving heating systems as well as insulation. Make sure there are efficient and modern heating systems for more than one room, and that the property has sufficient cavity wall insulation or loft insulation to meet the new housing standards.
Renovate kitchens and bathrooms
If a property’s kitchen is older than 20 years and bathroom is older than 30 years, the property will not meet the upcoming housing standards. To avoid this, plan updates for outdated facilities, making them more modern and focusing on safety features and functionality.
Address repair and maintenance needs
Make sure that the general state of repair of your property meets the Decent Homes Standard, as well as checking for any serious hazards. This will include things like damage to roofs, chimneys, walls, floors, windows, doors, and updating faulty or damaged heating systems. This is particularly important in line with Awaab’s law.
Stay informed
Stay updated with the Renter’s Rights Bill and the process of the Decent Homes Standard, and any official government announcements regarding the implementation of the standard, especially if there are specific dates or additional requirements to be aware of.
How Aspire to Move can help
At Aspire to Move, we stay on top of the latest developments with housing regulations, including the upcoming Renters Rights Bill and Decent Homes Standard, ensuring that landlords are fully prepared for the changes ahead.
If you’re looking for advice on meeting the new housing standards or need guidance on how to improve your rental properties, we’re here to help. Become an Aspire landlord today or get in touch with us today to find out more.
