The government says it will shortly start a formal consultation on a new Decent Homes Standard for the private and social rented sectors.

The consultation, which the government says “will launch as soon as possible”, will look to ensure safe, secure housing is the standard people can expect in both social housing and private rented properties.

The government will also bring forward legislation for Awaab’s Law in the social rented sector this autumn, so hazards such as damp and mould must be investigated and remedied to set timescales. 

It claims that implementing this legislation for social housing and extending protections to the private rented sector will support tenants to secure faster repairs, reducing health and safety risks.

Housing Secretary Rayner has told the Labour conference: “Alongside this we will introduce new access to information requirements for housing associations, to enable tenants from the 2.5m households managed by housing associations to hold their landlords to account and drive up the quality of the housing and services they provide.

“We will also introduce a Competence and Conduct standard for the social rented sector that will ensure staff have the right skills, behaviours and experience to carry out the role they have in supporting often some of the most vulnerable in our society.”

The new standard, which will include qualification requirements for senior managers and executives, aims to help raise standards across the sector.

Rayner also says the government will bring forward plans for “high quality housebuilding” through the revised National Planning Policy Framework this autumn, following the consultation which closes tomorrow.