The Government has been urged to avoid more unnecessary excess regulation for landlords with the introduction of the Decent Homes Standard.
Industry accreditation scheme safeagent, has revealed its response to the Decent Homes Standard consultation, which closed on 10 September.
In its response, safeagent expressed its desire to work with the Government to develop a Decent Homes Standard that is fit for purpose and supports a culture of continuous improvement in the private rented sector (PRS).
Isobel Thomson, chief executive of safeagent, said: “The way to drive up decent homes compliance in the private rented sector is not new layers of regulation.
“The key issue is under-resourcing of local authority housing enforcement and trading standards teams that are tasked with tackling the worst and most prolific offenders. Unless we succeed in tackling under-resourcing, a new Decent Homes Standard could have minimal impact.”
As part of its response, safeagent also encouraged the Government to rethink the overly complex and disjointed nature of DHS Criterion C (facilities, etc) which has led to some oddities.
Thomson added: “For example, under the proposals every private rented house must be fitted with adequate external noise insulation, but the same does not apply to every private rented flat, and with no indication of how adequacy would be assessed.”
Regarding the scourge of damp and mould, while safeagent said it is entirely right to place a spotlight on this following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, the group questioned whether the Government has got the regulatory balance right.
Thomson said: “Any damp and mould issue can already be enforced under HHSRS, while any disrepair to the structure of the building or deficiencies with the heating and ventilation will be captured by DHS Criterion B. With the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and Awaab’s Law soon to be rolled out to the PRS, safeagent sees no need to add another layer of damp and mould regulation under proposed DHS Criterion E. This would impose another discretionary power for councils to intervene, duplicating the HHRS and adding no meaningful value.”
Similarly, safeagent said it sees no need to develop a new home security standard for the private rented sector as every property is different, making an appropriate common standard difficult to achieve.
Thomson added: “Overall, there’s a pressing need to simplify and streamline the housing regulatory model, which will benefit all interested parties including landlords, agents, tenants and local authority enforcement officers.”
