Landlords are facing a challenge due to the lack of a concrete definition of the Decent Homes Standard in the Renters’ Rights Bill.

The controversial legislation, currently at the House of Lords Committee Stage,  outlines three matters in which properties will be assessed,  the state of repair of the premises, things to be provided for use by, or for the safety, security or comfort of, persons occupying the premises, and the means of keeping the premises at a suitable temperature. 

But Dave Sayce, co-founder of Compare My Move, said the standards seems to be up to the discretion of local councils or the Secretary of State.

He said:: “It is not exactly easy to know whether your home needs work done in order to comply.

“The three matters which they give us help give an idea what local authorities will deem a ‘decent home’ but do not outline the requirements that the standard asks landlords to meet.”  

Sayce warns that the standards are mostly up to interpretation, such as ‘Adequate insulation’, ‘Suitable temperature’, or ‘Modern facilities’.  

He added:  “Leaving most of the Decent Homes Standard up to individual council discretion creates real challenges for landlords, especially those with large portfolios spread across different local authorities. 

“What one council considers ‘adequate insulation’ or a ‘reasonable state of repair’ might differ significantly from another’s interpretation. 

“This inconsistency can lead to uncertainty and confusion for landlords who are trying to remain compliant, but don’t have a clear, measurable checklist to follow.” 

As a result, he warned, some landlords may eel it’s too risky or costly to continue managing multiple properties, especially across different councils, prompting them to sell off parts of their portfolios. 

He said: “If that happens at scale, the number of available rental properties could shrink, driving up tenant demand and rental prices. 

To avoid this, the Government could provide clear, consistent, and measurable national standards that all councils enforce in the same way. 

“Landlords should be able to plan and maintain their properties with confidence — not guesswork.”