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mould, alongside requirements to upgrade outdated kitchens and bathrooms to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.”
