Many private rented homes in England are not yet meeting the Decent Homes Standard

Recent analysis from PropTech firm Inventory Base has revealed that more than one in five private rented homes in England currently fall short of the Decent Homes Standard.

This is an important figure because, once the Decent Homes Standard is extended to the private rental sector under the upcoming Renters’ Rights Bill, these properties will no longer be legal to let. The Bill is expected to come into effect this autumn.

The Decent Homes Standard is a government benchmark for minimum housing conditions. It has been applied to social housing for many years, covering council and housing association homes. The Renters Rights Bill will extend these rules to privately rented homes, meaning landlords will have to ensure their properties meet the same minimum requirements.

The government’s current proposal gives a long lead time, with changes expected to be in place by either 2035 or 2037. This is intended to give landlords enough time to carry out necessary work. However, separate rules aimed at improving energy efficiency under the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are set to take effect sooner, by 2030.

Although the government’s timeline allows for a long delay, many believe this approach risks slowing down improvements and leaving tenants in substandard housing for years to come. With the right information and a proactive approach, landlords can be ready ahead of schedule and avoid last-minute pressure.