Millions of renters could benefit from a set of improved
standards for rented homes, in the next step of the government’s
biggest shake up of the private rented sector in 30 years.
The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities has today
(2 September 2022) launched a consultation on
introducing a Decent Homes Standard to the rented sector,
which would mean landlords are legally bound to make sure their
property meets a reasonable standard.
The majority of landlords in the private rented sector already
meet high standards but a minority are failing to meet
these.
The consultation asks whether privately rented homes should be
required to be kept in a good state of repair with efficient
heating, suitable facilities, and free from serious hazards like
major damp or fire risks. The consultation seeks views on whether
such new standards should be introduced and on how they should be
enforced.
Over a fifth of the 4.4 million privately rented homes in England
are in poor condition. Today’s move shows the government is
getting on with delivering its levelling up mission, to halve the
number of poor-quality rented homes by 2030.
Housing Secretary said:
I want to see a thriving private rented sector, but that does not
mean that tenants should have to suffer homes that are not of
decent standard.
This consultation asks what the minimum standard for privately
rented homes should be.
, Director of Generation Rent
said:
We welcome these plans to extend the Decent Homes Standard to
private rented homes.
As the private rented sector has grown to overtake the social
sector in size, not enough action has been taken on the poorer
conditions private tenants must put up with. Private rented homes
are more costly to heat and at a higher risk of disrepair and
damp problems. There is no reason why private tenants should
expect a worse service than social tenants.
This crucial measure will help tenants get value for money,
whoever they rent from, and stop landlords from profiting by
cutting corners.
Gavin Smart, Chief Executive at Chartered Institute of
Housing said:
All renters should be able to live in decent, well maintained
homes. We welcome the commitment to introduce a new Decent Homes
Standard to the private rented sector as part of the government’s
new deal for renters.
We look forward to seeing the details set out in the consultation
and discussing the proposals with our members.
The social housing sector has been subject to a decent homes
standard since 2001. Over the last decade poor quality social
housing has reduced by over a third.
The introduction of a Decent Homes Standard in the private rented
sector was outlined in the government’s landmark Fairer private rented
sector white paper.
The consultation will run for 6 weeks and seeks views from
tenants, landlords, and others in the sector.
