Decent Homes Standard for Private Landlords: What's Coming
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The Decent Homes Standard is being extended to the private rented sector under the Renters' Rights Act. Properties must be free from serious hazards, in reasonable repair, have reasonably modern facilities, and provide adequate heating. Exact implementation dates TBC.
For decades, the Decent Homes Standard applied only to social housing. Now it's coming to the private rented sector, and landlords need to prepare.
What is the Decent Homes Standard?
The Decent Homes Standard is a minimum quality threshold for rental properties. Originally introduced in 2000 for council housing, it sets out four criteria that all homes must meet to be considered "decent".
The standard was designed to eliminate the worst housing conditions and ensure all tenants live in safe, well-maintained properties. Social housing providers have been required to meet this standard for over two decades.
Under the Renters' Rights Act, this standard will apply to private landlords for the first time, representing a significant shift in housing regulation.
When does it apply to private landlords?
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 includes provisions to extend the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals, but the exact implementation date will be set by secondary legislation. Most experts expect full implementation between 2026-2028.
The government is expected to provide a transition period to give landlords time to bring properties up to standard. However, waiting until the last minute is risky - if your property has significant issues, works could take months to complete.
Properties already subject to enforcement action under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) may face earlier deadlines or stricter requirements.
The four criteria explained
A property meets the Decent Homes Standard if it passes all four criteria: free from serious hazards, in reasonable repair, has reasonably modern facilities, and provides adequate thermal comfort.
| Criterion | Requirement | Key Checks |
|---|---|---|
| Criterion A | Free from Category 1 hazards | HHSRS assessment, no serious risks |
| Criterion B | Reasonable state of repair | Key components not old or damaged |
| Criterion C | Reasonably modern facilities | Kitchen, bathroom, layout adequate |
| Criterion D | Adequate thermal comfort | Effective heating and insulation |
What counts as 'reasonably modern facilities'?
Criterion C requires kitchens less than 20 years old, bathrooms less than 30 years old, adequate noise insulation, and appropriate room layout. A property fails if it lacks three or more of the specified amenities.
The facilities assessed include:
- Kitchen with adequate space and layout (less than 20 years old)
- Kitchen with appropriate ventilation
- Bathroom and WC (less than 30 years old)
- Adequate noise insulation from neighbours
- Adequate size and layout of common entrance areas
Age alone doesn't fail a property - a well-maintained 25-year-old kitchen in good condition may still pass. The assessment looks at overall functionality and condition.
How will it be enforced?
Local authorities will have primary enforcement responsibility. They'll be able to issue improvement notices, impose civil penalties, and in serious cases, prohibit properties from being let.
Expected enforcement measures include:
- Improvement notices - Requiring specific works within a set timeframe
- Civil penalties - Fines for non-compliance (amounts TBC)
- Prohibition orders - Preventing properties from being let until brought up to standard
- Rent repayment orders - Tenants may be able to reclaim rent for periods of non-compliance
The new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman (also created by the Renters' Rights Act) may also handle complaints related to property standards.
Preparing your property now
Don't wait for the deadline. Assess your property against the four criteria now and create a remediation plan for any shortfalls.
Steps to take now:
- Get an HHSRS assessment - Identify any Category 1 hazards (Criterion A)
- Survey key components - Check age and condition of roof, windows, heating, electrics (Criterion B)
- Assess facilities - Review kitchen and bathroom age and condition (Criterion C)
- Check EPC rating - Assess heating efficiency and insulation (Criterion D)
- Create an improvement schedule - Prioritise works and budget accordingly
Use our compliance checklist to track your property's status across all current and upcoming requirements.
Cost implications for landlords
Costs will vary significantly depending on your property's current condition. Properties already well-maintained may need minimal work, while older properties with outdated facilities could require substantial investment.
Common upgrades and typical costs:
| Upgrade | Typical Cost | Criterion |
|---|---|---|
| New bathroom | £3,000-£8,000 | C |
| New kitchen | £5,000-£15,000 | C |
| Central heating system | £3,500-£7,000 | D |
| Loft insulation | £300-£600 | D |
| Double glazing (full house) | £4,000-£10,000 | B, D |
| Electrical rewire | £3,000-£5,000 | A, B |
Consider spreading improvements over time, starting with safety-critical items. Some improvements may also help you meet EPC requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Is this law yet?
Not yet. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 includes provisions to extend the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals, but the specific implementation date and detailed regulations are still to be confirmed by secondary legislation. The primary legislation has received Royal Assent, so it's definitely coming - just a matter of when.
What if my property doesn't meet the standard?
You'll need to bring it up to standard before the deadline. Local authorities will have enforcement powers including improvement notices and civil penalties. Start assessing your property now against the four criteria to identify any works needed. Properties with serious hazards (Category 1 under HHSRS) are already subject to enforcement.
Will there be grants available?
The government has not yet announced specific grant schemes for private landlords to meet the Decent Homes Standard. However, existing schemes like ECO4 for energy efficiency improvements may help with some upgrades that contribute to Criterion D (thermal comfort). Keep an eye on government announcements as implementation approaches.
Managing this yourself?
LandlordOS helps UK landlords stay compliant and organised:
- Automatic compliance reminders for Gas Safety, EICR, EPC
- Document storage with AI-powered certificate reading
- Tenancy tracking and rent management
LandlordOS tip
Start with an HHSRS assessment - Category 1 hazards are already enforceable under existing law, so addressing these is urgent regardless of when the full Decent Homes Standard kicks in. Many hazards overlap with the standard's requirements, so fixing them now gives you a head start.