Government calls on landlords to upgrade homes ahead of Decent Homes Standard
9:04 AM, 15th December 2025, 4 months ago
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The government has urged landlords to begin upgrading their properties before the Decent Homes Standard comes into force.
In its Renters’ Rights Act implementation roadmap, the government claims that while the Decent Homes Standard is proposed to come into force in 2035 or 2037, landlords “should commence works earlier”.
The government has announced it will introduce a legal duty on landlords to ensure their properties meet the Decent Homes Standard, and councils will have the power to fine landlords £7,000 if they fail to meet the standard.
Landlords should commence works earlier wherever feasible
The government is currently considering consultation responses and has confirmed it will announce details of the standard and timelines as soon as possible.
As previously reported on Property118, the legislation appears to focus on three key areas when evaluating properties:
- The condition of the premises
- Provisions for tenant safety and comfort
- The ability to maintain an appropriate temperature
In its Renters’ Rights Act roadmap, the government urge landlords to start preparing now.
The guidance says: “While we are proposing a long-term deadline, our expectation is that landlords should commence works earlier wherever feasible, remaining mindful of the effect on tenants.
“As part of the pathway to applying the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector, we will implement the review of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).”
Local councils will have the power to issue civil penalties of up to £7,000
The government also warn landlords they could face up to a £7,000 fine if they fail the Decent Homes Standard.
The government guidance says: “Landlords who fail to comply with enforcement action can be subject to a civil penalty or criminal prosecution. If such an offence is committed, the tenant or local council can also apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a rent repayment order.
“We will be introducing a legal duty on landlords to ensure their property meets the Decent Homes Standard. For landlords who fail to take reasonably practicable steps to keep their properties free of serious hazards, local councils will also have a new power to issue civil penalties of up to £7,000. This will incentivise all landlords to proactively manage and maintain the safety and decency of their properties.”
The fines come alongside the government’s release of new civil penalty tables under the Renters’ Rights Act, which include a £6,000 fine for discrimination against tenants receiving benefits or those with children during the lettings process.
Tags:
decent homes standard, housing compliance, housing regulations, landlord fines, Private Rented Sector, Renters’ Rights Act
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Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 370
9:45 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
My own house has an EPC of around E and is perfectly comfortable and mould free so enough of this nonsense from government.Next i will be expected to go around on a daily basis to wipe tenant’s backsides.
Member Since May 2022 - Comments: 89
9:47 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
I am sure the Government will have included it somewhere in their Bill, but welcome as it may be to see landlords being required to upgrade properties to provide decent homes, failing which they will be fined up to £7,000, I seem to have missed any mention of action taken, by government/councils, against tenants who fail to maintain the property to the decent home standard they were provided with?
Probably just me, but still looking for mention of that?
Member Since July 2019 - Comments: 14
9:48 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
NO!
Let’s upgrade the government instead. They are a vile group of champagne socialists who are deliberately targeting ordinary hardworking people, like Landlords. We’re a soft target and they know it. They’re b@st@rds, the lot of them. I’d have them all arrested.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2193 - Articles: 2
9:48 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Having bled the PRS dry with Draconian taxes, just where does the government expect the funds to come from?
Higher taxes, proportionate fines and higher standards do not sit well together. Add frozen Housing benefit and the whole house of cards will collapse.
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 281
10:10 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
My understanding is three items in disrepair in a kitchen over twenty years old means the kitchen is classed as non- decent.
Good luck arguing against the £7,000 fine issued by the LA where a pragmatic landlord has remedied two failing taps and a worn sink in an otherwise sound kitchen by fitting a brand new sink and taps – but the LA say a new kitchen is required.
Another policy which will impact tenants at the cheaper end of the market – basically there won’t be much of that market left in ten years time.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 147
10:28 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Does social housing (LA provided) come under the Decent Homes legisltaion?
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 281
10:42 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Reply to the comment left by John MacAlevey at 15/12/2025 – 10:28
It was created for the social housing sector twenty plus years ago. It was a framework for councils and housing associations to plan ongoing works to their stock to bring it up to date. Remembering at that time plenty of properties didn’t have full central heating and systems as fitted then were often inefficient such as back boilers behind gas fires which were only about 60% efficient compared to 90% plus for gas combi boilers.
With what has happened in the intervening period with EPCs and the HHSRS it is not particularly relevant as originally intended. How many PRS homes are running back boiler fired CH for example? Minuscule to zero numbers but they weren’t uncommon in council houses twenty years ago. You can’t get a boiler installed that isn’t a condensing model except for very limited exceptions – but those in government plough on with legislation that is not necessary for the usual reason of tenant votes.
How thick does someone need to be to not realise that if you have legislation to require a home to be EPC C which the government is doing – you have basically eliminated the problem of excess cold or heat by the requirements within the EPC rules and legislation. Yet the clowns in power, who on the one hand say they want to eliminate so called red tape, plough ahead with ever more layers of the stuff.
And Pennycook deserves a special mention as one of the most hopeless to hold the housing brief in a very long line.
Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 147
10:50 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Thanks Keith, that`s informed me.
Member Since February 2023 - Comments: 87
10:58 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Phil Hayward at 15/12/2025 – 09:48Well said, love it. So true too
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 370
11:27 AM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Keith Wellburn at 15/12/2025 – 10:42
How about all the older properties with no gas supply, relying on storage heaters which are not that efficient at making a house “comfortable” or “maintaining an appropriate temperature”, but are required to obtain a decent EPC rating. If you installed electric radiators throughout and no storage heaters the house would be warmer for longer but the bill for the tenant would be sky high and the EPC would be lower. Government should keep their noses out of anything to do with the property market. None of them will ever build all the houses they brag about either.