The new Decent Homes Standard (DHS), which will be applied to the private rental sector from 2035, continues to make waves.
Generation Rent chief executive Ben Twomey has described the timetable as “absurd” and slams the government for making tenants wait “for an entire decade.”
Meanwhile the letting agents’ body Propertymark has set out a useful explanation of the five criteria which private rental properties must meet to pass the DHS.
These are:
Homes must be free from Category 1 hazards under the HHSRS, with councils expected to take enforcement action where these are found.
Additional expectations around window safety, including child-resistant window restrictors where a fall risk is present, have also been confirmed.
Thermal comfort requirements will link to energy efficiency obligations, including Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), and the updated standard places clear emphasis on preventing and resolving damp and mould.
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A home fails if any key component is in serious disrepair, or if two or more other components are in serious disrepair.
Key components include the building fabric (such as roofs, walls, windows and doors) and essential systems (including heating and electrics), as well as kitchens and bathrooms, alarms/sprinklers and ventilation.
Additional expectations around window safety, including child-resistant window restrictors where a fall risk is present, have also been confirmed.
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Core facilities and window safety: Homes must have a usable kitchen, a suitably located bathroom and WC, and protection from external noise where needed, with child-resistant window restrictors where there is a fall risk.
The government has also stepped back from proposals on floor coverings and enhanced security, which Propertymark highlighted were already common in the PRS.
Additional expectations around window safety, including child-resistant window restrictors where a fall risk is present, have also been confirmed.
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Heating and energy: Landlords must provide a primary heating system that can heat every room and allows tenants to control temperature and timings. Homes must also align with MEES, with relevant exemptions recognised (a point Propertymark pushed for).
Additional expectations around window safety, including child-resistant window restrictors where a fall risk is present, have also been confirmed.
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Homes must be free from damp and mould, with failure linked to HHSRS scoring and an expectation of proactive action, aligning with the direction of travel on extending Awaab’s Law to the PRS.
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The Decent Homes Standard will be enforced by local authorities.
Councils will be able to inspect homes, require improvements, and take formal action where standards are not met.
Where the most dangerous hazards are present, local authorities will have a duty to act and issue on-the-spot fines of up to £7,000.
or other DHS requirements, councils will have the power to take enforcement action, with the approach intended to help them prioritise the greatest risks to tenants.
Alongside this, guidance confirms the maximum civil penalty is £7,000 for breaches and £40,000 for offences, with criminal prosecution available for certain serious or continued non-compliance.
Failure to comply with statutory notices can also lead to criminal enforcement action, underpinning the importance of clear processes, good record-keeping and prompt remediation when issues arise.
- Further details about the DHS are available on the Propertymark and Gov.Uk websites.
