The National Residential Landlords Association is backing the government’s aim to introduce a new Decent Homes Standard for the private rental sector.

The government indicated in a statement this week that it would soon launch a formal consultation on the proposal – the NRLA says it backs the move but insists it must be backed up by effective, property-resourced enforcement to make sure the standard is adopted. 

Association chief executive Ben Beadle says: “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.

“79 per cent 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.   
    
“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. 

“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.”