Rental properties should be maintained so that they are safe to live in. In this blog, we’re answering the question, what is the Decent Homes Standard? We’ll also be sharing more information about its requirements and benefits.
What is the Decent Homes Standard?
The Decent Homes Standard is a government scheme that was first introduced in 2000. Despite being introduced then, social rented sector homes were required to meet the standard by 2010.
Currently, the standard applies to social housing, but there are plans in place to implement this for the private rented sector in early 2025. The government has been discussing this addition since 2022 and in 2023, it was mentioned within the Renters’ Reform Bill. It is now undergoing its second reading in the House Of Commons following Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill.
The standard covers a variety of criteria, including the following.
- Safety
- Health
- Reasonable state of repair
- Modern facilities
Having this statutory minimum standard in place gives the housing market a benchmark to adhere to, which can be extremely helpful.
What does the standard mean?
Property condition
Generally, a property needs to be in good condition for it to be rented out safely. Where safety is concerned in this standard, aspects such as the roof, chimney and other structural elements should be in a state of reasonable repair.
Property facilities
As part of this standard, properties must have reasonably modern facilities. This means that properties must have hot water, toilet facilities and kitchen facilities. A property’s kitchen should not be older than 20 years and the bathroom should not be older than 30 years.
Property heating
The property must have adequate heating throughout. Additionally, insulation should have been used for thermal comfort. The heating system must be able to heat the majority of the property.
I am a landlord, what does this mean for me?
The government has been in talks for a few years now on including privately rented homes within the standards. Labour seems to have taken a committed approach to it, therefore, landlords can expect this to be rolled out at some point in the near future.
According to research, around 79% of privately rented homes already meet the Decent Homes Standard. This is great news for landlords as it means that you are not required to do anything to bring your property up to standard.
In contrast, the other 21% will need to make changes so that their properties are suitable, safe and secure for tenants.
How will the Government’s Decent Homes Standard be enforced?
Local councils will be responsible for ensuring that properties meet these standards. Landlords must ensure that their properties meet the standard, otherwise they may face consequences. Councils will have the ability to take further action against landlords who do not comply with the standards.
How much will it cost to meet the standard?
The exact costs for bringing your rental property in line with the Decent Homes Standard depends on many factors. Some private rented sector landlords may find that it’s just a quick fix, whereas others may need to pay out more money.
Previous government bills have discussed ‘cost caps’ on the work that needs to be carried out, which may help some landlords with non-decent rented homes. However these caps have not been confirmed.
It’s good to have an understanding of the Decent Homes Standard as it’s very likely to affect privately rented properties in the near future. The specific details should be revealed soon by the UK government, and then landlords can start making changes if they need to.
We hope this blog has been helpful regarding the Decent Homes Standard. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for any landlord advice or further information on the private rented sector.
