Decent Homes Standard: What Landlords Need to Know
The Decent Homes Standard is about to become a central part of the private rented sector, and it is set to change the way many landlords manage their properties.
The government’s aim is simple: to raise the standard of private rental homes so tenants live in properties that are safe, warm, and fit for modern living.
If you own rental properties in Essex, here’s what you need to know and how to prepare.
What Is the Decent Homes Standard?
The Decent Homes Standard is a framework used to decide whether a property is suitable for people to live in. Until now, it mainly applied to social housing, but the government plans to extend it to private rentals.
A home is classed as decent if it:
Is HHSRS compliant-free from serious hazards that could put a tenant’s health or safety at risk
Is in a reasonable state of repair without major structural problems
Has modern facilities like kitchens and bathrooms in a usable, good condition
Provides adequate heating and insulation to keep the property comfortable and energy efficient
The government is particularly focused on removing unsafe and poorly maintained homes from the rental market, with an emphasis on tackling hazards like damp, mould, and inadequate heating.
Why the Standard Matters for Landlords
Together, these changes are designed to raise the bar for rental homes and are part of the push to professionalise the industry which, for all compliant and conscientious landlords, can only be seen as a good thing!
But meeting the Decent Homes Standard is more than just a regulatory tick-box exercise; it can affect the success of your rental business.
Compliant properties are less likely to face complaints, fines, or intervention from local authorities. They will attract longer-term tenants, which reduces void periods and creates more predictable rental income.
On the other hand, failing to meet the standard could lead to enforcement action, costly emergency repairs, and the potential for reputational damage if tenants raise complaints.
For landlords considering selling or restructuring their portfolio, compliance with the standard can also make a property more marketable. Buyers are increasingly wary of homes that need heavy upgrades.
Preparing Your Properties
Here are practical steps landlords can take to prepare:
Conduct a full property inspection, checking for hazards like damp, mould, loose railings, faulty wiring, or structural issues.
Plan maintenance or upgrades to areas that tenants rely on most, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and heating systems.
Check insulation and energy efficiency, as warm and efficient homes are central to the standard and will appeal to tenants.
Keep clear records of the work you have carried out, as this helps if a dispute ever arises about the condition of your property.
Budget for improvements over time to avoid a sudden rush of costly work when new rules are enforced.
Awaab’s Law and Private Rentals
The Decent Homes Standard will also work alongside Awaab’s Law, which sets strict timelines for repairing hazards like damp and mould. If a tenant reports a health-related hazard, landlords will have to act quickly to resolve it.
These measures reflect a wider shift in the rental market where tenant safety and property quality are becoming non-negotiable.
How Will the Decent Homes Standard Be Enforced?
Local councils are already the ones keeping an eye on rental property conditions, and that won’t change. What will change is that, under the new Decent Homes Standard, landlords will have a clear legal duty to make sure their properties meet the required standard.
If a property falls short, councils will have stronger powers to act. In serious cases, failing to comply could lead to fines or even a banning order for repeat or extreme breaches. There will be sensible exemptions, for example, for listed buildings where certain upgrades aren’t possible.
The goal is to protect tenants and raise the overall quality of rental homes. For most responsible landlords, this is simply about staying proactive, keeping properties in good repair, and maintaining the kind of homes that tenants want to stay in.
The Renters’ Rights Bill and Decent Homes Standard
The Decent Homes Standard forms part of the wider Renters’ Rights Bill, which is bringing in the most significant shake-up to the private rental sector in decades.
Alongside the end of Section 21 evictions, rent controls, and new rules around pets and landlord registration, the Decent Homes Standard is one of the key measures aimed at giving tenants safer, better-quality homes while setting clear expectations for landlords.
If you want to understand the full picture of how the Bill could affect your rental portfolio, including the timeline for when these changes will come into force, take a look at our latest Renters’ Rights Bill update blog. It explains what has happened so far in Parliament and the key steps landlords should be planning for now.