Labour unveils new consultation to extend the Decent Homes Standard to the PRS
Student landlords have an opportunity to offer their views on a new Labour consultation to extend the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) to the private rented sector.
The DHS currently applies to the social housing sector and will set a quality benchmark, requiring homes to be in good repair, equipped with modern facilities and free from serious hazards such as damp and mould.
The new proposals prioritise tenant safety while ensuring measures are 'proportionate and affordable for providers to deliver', the government says.
Need strong council enforcement
The National Residential Landlords Association has welcomed the consultation and its chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: "We welcome publication of the government's proposals and will engage positively as they consult on them.
"Landlords, letting agents, tenants and councils need a clear, coherent and workable set of standards to meet."
He added: "However, setting this standard is only part of the solution.
"Without effective and properly resourced enforcement by councils, the minority of rogue and criminal landlords will continue to undermine tenants' confidence and damage the reputation of the wider sector.
"It is time to find and root out poor practice for good."
Most PRS homes meet the standard
Mr Beadle went on to say: "79% of private rented homes already meet the existing Decent Homes Standard, despite it not being legally binding on the sector.
"We want to ensure every rented home is of a decent quality."
He adds: "Decent and safe housing should be the bedrock of the rental market.
"Any landlord failing to provide this should have no place in the private rented sector."
Standard to cover 4 million homes
The initiative is a cornerstone of the government's £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes programme, designed to deliver 300,000 new homes over the next decade, with at least 60% allocated for social rent.
The consultation proposes extending the Decent Homes Standard to the 9.2 million private renters across four million homes in England and Wales.
Key changes under consideration include rules to eliminate severe damp and mould, alongside requirements to upgrade outdated kitchens and bathrooms to prevent such issues.
Enhanced safety measures, such as improved electrical safety standards, are also on the table to protect tenants in both sectors.
DHS will raise the bar
Housing and planning minister, Matthew Pennycook, said: "Everyone deserves a decent home, whether they rent privately or from a social landlord.
"The Decent Homes Standard will raise the bar for housing quality across the rented sectors, driving up standards and ensuring tenants' voices are heard."
He added: "We want to hear from tenants, landlords and providers to make sure these changes deliver safe, warm, and decent homes in a way that works for everyone."
The proposals also include mandating an energy-efficiency standard for social housing to help tenants benefit from cheaper bills and more energy efficient homes. The consultation is running until September 24.
Student landlords must prepare
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "The Decent Homes Standard expansion signals a pivotal shift in the private rented sector.
"With the consultation looking to extend quality benchmarks to private rentals, student landlords must prepare for stricter requirements on safety, damp prevention and modern facilities."
He added: "Compliance may involve upgrading properties to meet new standards, such as fitting new bathrooms and kitchens after set periods as is required in the social housing sector.
"Most homes, as the NRLA highlights, already meet the standard and most student accommodation will be of a high quality, so those landlords won't have to worry too much.
"I would suggest, though, that student landlords keep an eye on what the consultation delivers."
