The government is set to replace the existing Decent Homes Standard with an updated version and extend it to the private rented sector as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill.
The Decent Homes Standard is a set of criteria that aims to make sure housing is safe, modern, and in good repair. It’s been in force in the social housing sector since 2001.
Data suggests that one in five rental properties will need improvements to be compliant, so how can landlords prepare?
How will the Decent Homes Standard work?
The new Decent Homes Standard will be based on five criteria. Private rental homes will need to:
- be free of ‘Category 1’ hazards as set by the Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS)
- be in a reasonable state of repair (the government will provide clear guidelines on what this means)
- have ‘reasonably modern’ facilities
- meet new ‘thermal comfort requirements’ as set out by Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
- be free of any damp or mould – Awaab’s Law will require landlords to get rid of damp or mould within set timelines
Decent Homes Standard – what’s changing?
The new version of the Decent Homes Standard will be slightly different from the existing one.
At the moment, kitchens and bathrooms in social housing must be replaced once they reach a certain age. This rule is being scrapped, so kitchens and bathrooms will only need to be replaced if they’re no longer in good condition.
Other changes suggested by the government include:
- requiring landlords to provide floor coverings (such as carpets) in every room at the start of a tenancy
- making sure all properties meet new security standards when new windows and doors are installed
- requiring landlords to install window restrictors to prevent accidental falls from height
- extending heating requirements to cover the whole property and linking them to overall energy efficiency
It’s important to note that these changes are subject to consultation, so may not be included in the final version of the new Decent Homes Standard.
Have your say on the Decent Homes Standard consultation
The government is consulting on the new version of the Decent Home Standard and is inviting landlords to contribute their views.
The consultation launched on 2 July 2025 and will close on 10 September 2025.
Who does the Decent Homes Standard apply to?
The Decent Homes Standard currently applies to social housing only. However, the new version will be extended to cover both social and private rental housing.
When does the Decent Homes Standard start for landlords?
The Decent Homes Standard is being introduced as part of the Renters’ Rights Bill, which is expected to become law later this year.
However, the government has suggested an implementation date of either 2035 or 2037 for landlords to comply with the new standard.
It’s thought this is to coincide with new energy efficiency rules, which are due to come into force in 2030.
The suggested implementation date will give landlords plenty of time to prepare if their property needs improvements to comply.
1 in 5 private rentals don’t meet Decent Homes Standard
More than a fifth of private rental properties (21 per cent) don’t currently comply with the Decent Homes Standard, according to a survey by ECC Paragon.
There are regional variations – 31 per cent of rental properties in the North West are non-decent, dropping to 12 per cent in London.
Several regions – including Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands, and the South West – have more than a quarter of rental properties that fall below the proposed standards.
On top of this, private renters were more likely than any other tenure to live in a poor quality home, according to the English Housing Survey 2022-2023.
Tenants renting from private landlords were also more likely to live in a property with damp or a ‘Category 1’ hazard.
What happens if landlords don’t comply?
Under the new standard, fines for non-compliance will increase from £30,000 to £40,000.
Local councils will also be able to issue civil penalties of up to £7,000 for the worst offenders.
How to prepare for the Decent Homes Standard
The first thing landlords will need to do is read up on the requirements of the Decent Homes Standard and work out whether their property complies.
If it doesn’t, they’ll need to pay for improvements to bring it up to standard. The median cost for bringing a property in line with the requirements is £8,381, according to the English Housing Survey 2022-2023.
It’s likely that landlords will have up to 10 years to comply with many parts of the Decent Homes Standard, so there will be less pressure to make quick improvements.
Over time, landlords will need to monitor and inspect their property regularly to make sure it meets the criteria set out by the Decent Homes Standard.
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