Landlords are being urged to respond to a consultation launched by the Government seeking views on a new Decent Homes Standard, which will for the first time apply to private landlords.
It also proposes that fines will be raised for non-compliance from £30,000 to £40,000, with councils also able to issue civil penalties of up to £7,000 for more pressing cases.
The consultation is on an updated standard - the current version already covers social homes but will also be applied to the privately rented sector and will benchmark minimum standards of property repair, facilities and services and a ‘reasonable level of thermal comfort’.
The consultation also sets out Labour’s plans to redefine what disrepair of a property’s key features can be.
At the moment facilities – such as a heating system or insulation – must be ‘old and in a poor condition’ to be defined as in disrepair whereas the new standard will mean even recently-installed heating systems that are badly maintained will be included.
The new standard will also be linked to Awaab’s Law, the mould and damp regulations that are themselves being consulted on now.
Other ‘criterion’ for meeting the standard include quality of floor coverings, security measures to stop intruders, the presence of window restrictors where applicable, as well minimum size and quality standards of kitchens, bathrooms and toilets.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook comments: “Everyone deserves the security and comfort of a safe, warm and decent home.
“Yet far too many of those living in social and privately rented homes have to put up with substandard conditions.
“The standard in its current form no longer reflects the present-day needs of tenants or landlords and it is falling short when it comes to addressing fundamental problems with our social housing stock. For these reasons and more, it needs to be modernised.
“It also needs to be expanded because when it comes to quality and safety, transformational and lasting change cannot be confined only to those in social rented homes.
“Regardless of who is your landlord, there should be a universally accepted and understood minimum standard of safe and decent housing for all tenants and landlords across the country. That is why our Renters’ Rights Bill extends the Decent Home Standards to the PRS for the first time.”
In response, the NRLA says 79% of private rented homes already meet the existing Decent Homes Standard, despite it not being legally binding on the sector.
“We welcome publication of the government’s proposals and will engage positively as they consult on them,” adds chief executive Ben Beadle (pictured). “Landlords, letting agents, tenants and councils need a clear, coherent and workable set of standards to meet.
“However, setting this standard is only part of the solution. Without effective and properly resourced enforcement by councils, the minority of rogue and criminal landlords will continue to undermine tenants’ confidence and damage the reputation of the wider sector. It is time to find and root out poor practice for good.”
The consultation runs until September 10th.
Image: Matthew Pennycook/YouTube
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