Decent homes standard for UK private renters delayed by government until 2035

"It is absurd to let landlords drag their feet for an entire decade, denying renters the most basic standards in our homes. It will mean millions of renters, including children, trapped living in poor-quality homes with nowhere to turn. Homes are the foundations of our lives, but millions of renters are living in homes that are falling apart and dangerous to our health. This is terrible value for money as the rents we pay every month continue to soar."

"The English Housing Survey in 2020-21 found that 21% of privately rented homes did not meet the DHS, with 12% having a category 1 hazard, meaning they posed a significant safety risk. According to the Health Foundation, one in five private rented homes are classed as non-decent, meaning they contain a hazard or immediate threat to a person's health, are in state of disrepair, or are not effectively insulated or heated."

"The government's promise to make private rented homes fit for habitation will not be enforced for almost a decade, a decision campaigners describe as absurd. The timeline means landlords will have until 2035 to implement a decent homes standard (DHS) in their properties, despite ministers promising to introduce robust standards to combat disrepair, damp and energy inefficiency."

The government will not enforce a decent homes standard (DHS) for private rented homes until 2035, giving landlords nearly a decade to comply. Renters' rights groups have reacted with anger, arguing the delay allows landlords to postpone repairs that address disrepair, damp and energy inefficiency. Surveys indicate high levels of substandard private rented housing, with 21% failing DHS criteria and 12% containing category 1 hazards. One in five private rented homes are classed as non-decent due to hazards, disrepair or poor insulation and heating. A social sector DHS was introduced in 2001 with a similar nine-year implementation period.

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