If you’re a landlord, chances are you’ve heard a lot of noise lately about the new Decent Homes Standard. Big reform. Big deadlines. Big consequences if not met, however once you strip away the jargon, the message is actually simple:
The bar for what counts as a “decent” rented home is being raised — and landlords must get ready. My blog focuses in a simple overview of what’s changing, and what you should be doing now and not in ten years’ time.
First things first: what is the new Decent Homes Standard?
The Decent Homes Standard has been around since the early 2000s, mainly applying to social housing. The big change now is that it’s being updated and expanded, and for the first time it will apply fully to the private rented sector as well. The Government states that this as the biggest overhaul of the standard in nearly 20 years and this s no exaggeration.
The key changes
It’s no longer about age — it’s about condition
Under the old rules, things like kitchens and bathrooms could technically “fail” just because they were old, even if they worked fine. That’s changing – the new standard is condition-based, not age-based.
Point 1: If something works properly, is safe, and is in reasonable repair, it passes regardless of how old it is.
Sounds fair, but it also means landlords need evidence that things are in good condition, not just assumptions.
Damp and mould is now a big deal and rightly so
This is probably the most important change. Damp and mould is now a standalone test of decency, not something that’s bundled into general repairs or “tenant lifestyle” debates.
Homes must be free from significant damp and mould, and landlords will be expected to:
- Investigate problems properly
- Fix the root cause (not just repaint)
- Act quickly once issues are reported
This ties closely to Awaab’s Law, which introduces strict response times for hazards like mould.
Point 2: ignoring damp complaints is no longer an option.
Safety expectations are stronger
The updated standard tightens up expectations around:
- Fire safety
- Electrical safety
- Fall risks (like unsafe windows)
- General hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Point 3: Councils and regulators are being encouraged to step in earlier where homes pose a risk to health or safety especially for families and vulnerable tenants.
Energy efficiency matters more than ever
“Thermal comfort” isn’t new, but it’s getting sharper teeth. The new standard links more closely to energy efficiency and heating quality, alongside Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). With EPC C targets still looming for the private rented sector, cold, hard-to-heat homes are increasingly being treated as substandard, not just inefficient.
Point 4: Warm, dry, affordable-to-run homes are the direction of travel.
It’s coming to private renting – even if the deadline feels far away
Full enforcement of the new Decent Homes Standard across both social and private rented homes isn’t expected until the mid-2030s. That sounds distant but don’t be fooled.
Many of the building blocks (energy rules, damp response duties, stronger council enforcement) are arriving much sooner, and councils won’t wait until 2035 to take action where homes are clearly sub-standard.
So… what should landlords be doing right now?
Firstly, you don’t need to panic — however, but you do need a plan.
Get a good condition survey
Stop relying on gut feel.
A decent condition or stock survey will tell you:
- Where your risks are
- What’s likely to fail the new standard
- What can be left alone for now
This is especially important for older properties.
Take damp and mould seriously
If a tenant reports mould:
- Investigate the cause
- Improve ventilation
- Fix insulation or leaks where needed
Quick cosmetic fixes are likely to come back and bite you later especially if a council gets involved.
Check your EPCs and plan upgrades
If you’ve got properties below EPC C, start thinking:
- What upgrades are realistic?
- What can be phased over time?
- How can works be combined with normal maintenance?
Leaving this until the last minute will be expensive.
Sort your paperwork
Enforcement is increasingly evidence-based.
Make sure you can show:
- Repair records
- Inspection reports
- Safety certificates
- How quickly issues are responded to
If it’s not written down, it might as well not have happened.
Update your policies
Councils and regulators don’t just look at homes they look at systems.
Clear repair procedures, damp and mould policies, and complaint handling processes can make a huge difference if things escalate.
The Bottom Line
The new Decent Homes Standard isn’t about catching landlords out it’s about raising expectations. The direction is clear:
- Fewer excuses
- Faster responses
- Better living conditions
Landlords who start preparing now will spread costs, reduce stress, and stay on the right side of enforcement. Those who wait risk scrambling later with councils, fines, and unhappy tenants in the mix.
- Even though full enforcement isn’t until 2035, landlords cannot ignore compliance now.
- Energy efficiency and damp/mould issues are priority areas in the early rollout.
- Proper record-keeping, condition surveys, and maintenance plans now will save time and money later.
- Councils and regulators are increasingly proactive, you can expect inspections and enforcement well before 2035.
