Want to understand what the Decent Homes Standard is, and how it’s set to work under the Renters’ Rights Act?
The Decent Homes Standard introduces a baseline for housing quality. If a privately rented home fails to meet the required standard, local councils will be able to take enforcement action – and that can include financial penalties.
But the key point is timing. The Government’s implementation roadmap places the Decent Homes Standard in Phase 3, with consultation proposals suggesting it could be brought into force in 2035 or 2037 (still to be confirmed).
On this page, we’ll break down what the Decent Homes Standard is likely to involve, and what it could mean for landlords in practice.
You’ll learn:
- What the Decent Homes Standard is
- How it will work under the new Act
- What the minimum requirements are for a property to be considered “decent”
- What penalties may apply if the standard isn’t met
If you want to stay compliant and protect your position long term, keep reading.
6 Things to Know About the Decent Homes Standard
The major change is significant: the Decent Homes Standard (DHS), which has historically applied mainly to social housing, is set to extend across the wider housing system. This includes the private rented sector.
In practical terms, it will become a legal requirement for privately rented homes to meet a defined minimum standard of condition, safety and comfort.
This matters because it shifts housing quality from “best practice” into a clearer compliance framework. If a property falls short, landlords may face enforcement action, fines, and disputes that are far harder to defend once the standard becomes part of the legal baseline.
Below are six key points every landlord should understand.
1. Legal Requirement for all Private Rentals
- The Decent Homes Standard will apply to private rentals .
- That makes landlords legally responsible for ensuring their property meets the standard.
- Failure to do so may result in enforcement action, fines or legal disputes.
2. Focus on Safety and Habitability
- The standard will ensure that a property is safe and fit to live in.
- Homes must be free from serious hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
- Hazards could include fire risks, unsafe electrics or gas, severe damp or mould, and dangerous stairs or windows.
- Landlords will need to address genuine hazards promptly.
3. Thermal Comfort and Energy Efficiency
- The standard is expected to include a clear requirement for homes to provide a reasonable level of warmth at a reasonable cost.
- That means effective heating and adequate insulation – including loft, wall, or floor insulation where appropriate.
- If a property fails on thermal comfort, landlords may face tenant complaints and council enforcement.
4. Modern and Functional Facilities
- The standard is likely to assess whether facilities are modern enough and in good working order.
- This includes kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, hot water and drainage.
- The focus is on practical use and condition.
5. Enforcement and Compliance Risks
- Tenants will have a clearer route to report non-decent housing to local authorities.
- Councils may respond with improvement notices, fines, or court-backed action.
- Landlords should plan for regular inspections, keep repair records, and budget for phased upgrades over time.
6. Decent Homes Standard Is a Phase 3 Measure
- The Decent Homes Standard is expected to be introduced later as part of the Government’s “Phase 3” reforms.
- They will not be rolled out in 2026.
Overview: Potential Decent Homes Standard Elements
We’ve now covered the key changes landlords should be aware of as the Decent Homes Standard is extended into the private rented sector, under the Renters’ Rights Act framework.
At this stage, many landlords will be asking what the “minimum standard” might look like in practice. While it’s not possible to confirm the final PRS requirements until secondary regulations are published, the Government already has established guidance on what counts as a “decent home” in the existing Decent Homes Standard.
Based on that guidance, we’ve prepared the table below to give you a clear, practical overview of the potential elements landlords should be planning for now.
Potential Elements of the New Decent Homes Standard
| Potential DHS Element | Current Source |
| Statutory Minimum Standard (HHSRS / Category 1 hazards) | Government DHS guidance |
| Reasonable State of Repair | Government DHS guidance |
| Reasonably Modern Facilities and Services | Government DHS guidance |
| Thermal Comfort (effective heating + insulation) | Government DHS guidance |
| Hazards Framework and Scoring (HHSRS) | Government HHSRS guidance for landlords |
| Damp and Mould as a Serious Hazard | Government HHSRS guidance for landlords |
| Fire Safety and Fire Risk Hazards | Government HHSRS guidance for landlords |
| Electrical Safety Hazards | Government HHSRS guidance for landlords |
| Excess Cold / Inadequate Heating Hazards | Government HHSRS guidance for landlords |
| Falls on Stairs / Slips and Trips Hazards | Government HHSRS guidance for landlords |
| Safe Windows, Doors and Security-Related Hazards | Government HHSRS guidance for landlords |
| Minimum DHS Definition Used in National Reporting | English Housing Survey (Decent Homes Standard) |
Common Questions Landlords Are Asking
Which Properties Does the Decent Homes Standard Apply To?
Once the standard is applied to the private rented sector, it’s expected to cover most privately rented homes in England. In practice, landlords should assume it will apply property-by-property, not just at portfolio level. Specific exclusions (if any) will be set out in secondary regulations.
What Specific Repairs or Upgrades Are Required?
There won’t be a one-size-fits-all checklist, because compliance will depend on the condition of the individual property. However, the standard is likely to focus on core themes such as serious hazards, state of repair, functional facilities, and thermal comfort. For many landlords, the most common “upgrade areas” will be damp and mould remediation, electrical safety work, heating/insulation improvements, and replacing genuinely worn-out kitchens or bathrooms.
How Will Compliance Be Enforced?
Expect enforcement to sit primarily with local housing authorities, using inspections, tenant reports, and targeted enforcement activity. If a property falls below the required standard, councils mayrequire improvements and may escalate to sanctions if landlords fail to act. The key risk is that enforcement action is often driven by evidence of delay, poor record-keeping, or repeated failure to fix hazards.
When Will the Decent Homes Standard Come Into Force for the Private Rented Sector?
The Act framework doesn’t hard-code a single “go live” date for the PRS version of the standard. Instead, the start date and detailed rules are expected to be introduced through secondary legislation and commencement regulations. Current government messaging places this as a later-phase reform, so it’s unlikely to be part of the first wave of changes landing in 2026.
What Is the Timeline for Compliance?
In most regimes like this, landlords don’t get a single overnight “pass/fail” moment across the whole sector. You should expect a lead-in period, with requirements phased in, guidance published, and enforcement ramping up over time. The safest approach is to work backwards: identify the likely problem areas now and plan upgrades gradually, rather than waiting for the final deadline.
How Can I Demonstrate Compliance?
Start building a simple “property compliance file” for each dwelling. Keep inspection notes, dated photos, contractor invoices, certificates, and a repairs log showing when issues were reported and when they were fixed. If a tenant complaint or council inspection happens later, clear documentation is often the difference between a quick resolution and a prolonged dispute.
3 Major Risks for Landlords to Prepare For
With the Decent Homes Standard set to apply to the private rented sector, many landlords will be asking the same question: what should I prioritise first to reduce real-world risk?
The sensible approach is to focus on the issues that can trigger enforcement action, force unplanned spend, or turn a manageable repair issue into a formal dispute.
See an overview of the biggest risks below:
- Enforcement action and financial penalties.
If a property falls below the required standard and issues aren’t addressed promptly, local authorities may take action, which can escalate into formal notices, fines, or court-backed enforcement.
- Mandatory upgrades that strain budgets and cashflow.
Older homes may need major work to meet safety and thermal comfort expectations, such as damp remediation, heating and insulation upgrades, or electrical repairs, which can create sudden and expensive cashflow pressure.
- More complaints and disputes that disrupt tenancies.
Clearer minimum standards make it easier for tenants to raise complaints and involve the council, especially where records are weak or repair timelines are unclear, increasing the risk of prolonged disputes and operational disruption.
How Strikes Can Help You Prepare
Strikes Property Services Group is a property dispute resolution agency that helps landlords recover debts, serve legal notices and enforce evictions.
As the Decent Homes Standard is extended to the private rented sector, we help you take the lawful route and avoid the mistakes that can escalate into enforcement action, tenant disputes, and costly, last-minute remedial works.
Our specialists can support you at every stage with issues such as:
- Clear options on debt recovery and possession next steps.
If rent arrears are building or a tenancy is breaking down, we’ll explain your lawful options, support you with notices and evidence, and help you progress matters efficiently. - Support during investigations and enforcement action.
If you’re facing regulatory scrutiny, penalties, or database-related issues, we’ll guide you on what to do next, what to provide, and how to present your position properly.
If you’re unsure where to start, now is the time to act. Book a free consultation with our Managing Director, Chris Bane, to discuss your situation and the steps needed to stay compliant and protected.
