The government says private and social landlords will need to meet the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) by 2035.
In a government statement released last evening it was said that landlords must ensure homes meet certain levels such as being in reasonable repair with basic amenities including a kitchen with adequate space and layout, an appropriately located bathroom and WC, and adequate protection from external noise.
Homes must also be equipped with child-resistant window restrictors and meeting Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.
Homes will be classed as non-decent if a landlord has not remediated damp and mould.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook says too many tenants are living in poor quality housing, including 21% of homes in the Private Rented Sector (PRS).
He states: “By setting out in plain terms a series of ambitious yet proportionate standards for landlords to adhere to, it will help ensure we continue to drive down rates of non-decency across the country.
“Importantly, our new DHS will apply to both the social rented sector and private rented sector, meaning that all tenants in rented housing will benefit, regardless of who their landlord is.
“… Our expectations are clear: no tenant should have to live in unsafe conditions for any amount of time, and social and private landlords should act as quickly as possible to ensure their properties are decent.
“However, we recognise the significant challenges that landlords are facing as a result of the bold and comprehensive regulatory changes we are enacting.
“… As such, we have decided that all rented properties will be required to meet the new DHS by 2035 at the latest.”
Pennycook says this gives landlords the time and the certainty they need to boost housing supply as well as drive up the quality of the homes they manage.
This article is taken from Landlord Today