The government has published its consultation response confirming the Decent Homes Standard will be extended to the private rented sector. A phased implementation timeline and exemption framework will follow in secondary legislation. Landlords should begin assessing portfolios now.
Decent Homes Standard: coming to the private rented sector
The government published its response to the Decent Homes Standard consultation on 6 March 2026. The response confirms the government's intention to extend the standard to the private rented sector in England, with a phased implementation timeline.
The Decent Homes Standard has applied to the social rented sector for over two decades. This is the first time it will apply to private landlords.
The four criteria
A property must meet all four criteria to be considered decent.
Above Category 1 hazard threshold
The property must not contain a Category 1 hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Category 1 hazards include excess cold, damp, falls, and fire risks.
Reasonable state of repair
Key building components (roof, walls, windows, doors, heating systems) must not be old and in poor condition requiring replacement.
Reasonably modern facilities
Kitchen and bathroom facilities should not be excessively old (kitchen over 20 years, bathroom over 30 years).
Reasonable degree of thermal comfort
The property must have effective insulation and an efficient heating system.
Implementation timeline
The consultation response does not confirm a specific enforcement start date. Secondary legislation will set out the phased rollout. The government has indicated landlords will be given lead time before enforcement begins. An exemption framework is confirmed for cases where compliance is not reasonably practicable.
What landlords should do now
- Criterion 1 (Category 1 hazards): address known hazards promptly. Enforcement under the HHSRS is already available to councils and is unaffected by the Decent Homes timetable.
- Criterion 4 (thermal comfort): assess your portfolio's EPC rating and heating provision. This is the criterion most likely to require investment for older properties.
- Plan remediation spend: factor Decent Homes compliance into your capital expenditure planning for 2026 to 2028.
Landlord Insights will brief on the secondary legislation and enforcement regime as confirmed.
Landlord Insights — landlordinsights.co.uk — Sourced from gov.uk. Not legal advice.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always verify information against the original source and seek independent professional guidance before acting on any regulatory matter.