The Renters’ Rights Bill is currently progressing through Parliament and this week has reached the Committee stage. At this stage, the contents of the Bill are examined line-by-line and all amendments must be considered. Following this update to the Bill’s timeline, it is not likely to become law until autumn this year.
Still, landlords need to be aware of the changes that could impact their responsibilities. Two key elements of the bill are the extension of the Decent Homes Standard and the introduction of Awaab’s Law into the private rental sector. While both these measures have previously applied only to social housing, their expansion in the Renters’ Rights Bill means that private landlords will need to ensure their properties meet new requirements. Here’s what you need to know…
The Decent Homes Standard
The Decent Homes Standard was a government policy introduced in 2000 to set minimum standards for the condition of social housing in England and Northern Ireland. It was intended to ensure that social housing provides safe, warm, and decent living conditions for tenants. The Renters’ Rights Bill proposes to extend the standard to the private rental sector.
- To meet the Decent Homes Standard, rental properties must:
- Be free from serious health and safety hazards, such as damp, mould, faulty electrics, and structural issues
- Be in a reasonable state of repair, with essential facilities like kitchens and bathrooms in good working order
- Have reasonably modern facilities and services, ensuring properties are suitable for modern living
- Provide a reasonable degree of warmth, ensuring adequate heating and insulation to meet energy efficiency standards
For many landlords, this means ensuring regular property maintenance, prompt responses to repair requests, and potentially making upgrades to older rental properties. The government’s aim is to improve the overall quality of rental housing and prevent tenants from living in substandard conditions.
Awaab’s Law: Tackling unsafe housing conditions
This part of the proposed law will require landlords to inspect and repair hazards like damp and mould within strict timescales. The origin of Awaab’s Law stems from the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020. Awaab died of a severe respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould. The family, who were living in social housing in Rochdale, reported the mould problem repeatedly over three years but no action was taken.
Awaab’s Law will be extended to the private rental sector under the Renters’ Rights Bill. Previously, there were no fixed timeframes for landlords to deal with reported issues, leading to prolonged exposure to unhealthy living environments for some tenants.
Under the new legislation, landlords must:
- Respond to tenant complaints about damp, mould, and other health hazards within strict time limits
- Carry out repairs promptly to prevent long-term exposure to unsafe conditions
- Face the possibility of fines or enforcement action if they fail to address serious hazards within the required timeframe
This means landlords may need to be more proactive in property inspections and maintenance, ensuring that issues such as damp and mould are tackled before they escalate.
What this means for landlords
The extension of these standards into the private rental sector is a clear indication that the government wishes to ensure tenants can live in safe and high-quality homes, and while this may bring extra responsibilities for some landlords, those who already maintain their properties to a high standard will have little to worry about – we recognise our landlords are already responsible in their obligations and are generally guided by us in our recommendations.
As part of our fully managed service, we visit properties twice per year and produce reports with photographic evidence. If there are any maintenance issues, these would be noted on the report and we can then arrange and oversee any repairs.
However, for those landlords who prefer to self-manage, now is the time to act and following these guidelines will help you prepare:
- Conduct a full property inspection to identify any potential hazards
- Keep records of repairs, tenant complaints, and maintenance work to demonstrate compliance
- Plan your budget for upgrades where necessary, particularly around energy efficiency and modernisation
- Work with trusted contractors to ensure repairs are completed promptly and to a high standard
While these new rules may feel like additional red tape, they also present an opportunity to improve the reputation of the private rental sector. By ensuring homes are safe, warm, and well-maintained, landlords can foster better relationships with tenants, reduce vacancy rates, and protect the long-term value of their properties.
If you’re unsure about how the new rules will affect you, talk to us. With a wealth of in-depth local knowledge and extensive experience in lettings, we offer personalised support and expert guidance. For further updates on the Renters’ Rights Bill and how it may impact you, keep an eye on our blog or get in touch with our lettings team.