Have your say!

The government have now opened their consultation on the Decent Homes Standard into the Private Rented Sector.

This is your opportunity to provide your opinions on the proposals. You have until the 14th October 2022 to do so.

Avid readers of our articles will know that the Decent Homes Standard is part of the Fairer Renting White Paper which forms the backbone of the Renters Reform Bill. Currently the Standard is applied only to social housing ensuring that providers meet an acceptable standard of condition in their properties.

It is hoped that by introducing this into the private sector it will give greater power to tenants and local authorities to address the minority of landlords that do not offer comfortable, safe living conditions.

In reality parts of this standard are already in place via the Housing Health and Rating System (HHSRS) which a local authority use to measure a property’s condition.

The most significant change under the proposals is that tenants will have the ability to apply for rent repayment orders. Currently a tenant can make a claim for disrepair but must show that they reported the issue. The changes would shift the burden to the landlord as they will have a permanent duty to keep the property in repair to a prescribed decent standard, meaning the tenant can circumvent that requirement.

Whilst most landlords should have no concerns, this is an opportunity to engage with government over the wider reforms.

Let’s make no bones about it, the Renters Reform Bill will introduce the biggest changes to the sector in 35 years and the impact on landlords is not only wide ranging, but significant.

You can find the consultation here 

Further guidance can be found on the gov.uk website

Please note the date this article was published as the law may have changed since it was posted. You should always seek independent legal advice if you are intending to rely on any of the contents.