Government Confirms Decent Homes Standard Deadline for All Landlords

The UK government has confirmed that by 2035, all private and social landlords will be required to meet the Decent Homes Standard (DHS). This announcement follows the earlier confirmation that private landlords must achieve Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C ratings by 2030. The DHS aims to ensure rented homes are safe, warm, and in a reasonable state of repair, benefiting tenants across the country.

Key Criteria of the Decent Homes Standard

Under the updated DHS, homes must meet several essential criteria. Properties should be in a reasonable state of repair and provide core facilities such as a kitchen with adequate space and layout, a suitably located bathroom and WC, and protection from external noise. The government also requires homes to have child-resistant window restrictors and to provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort, aligning with Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

Importantly, homes will be considered non-decent if landlords fail to remediate issues such as damp and mould. This reflects a growing focus on health and safety within rented accommodation. Further details on the DHS criteria are available in the government’s consultation response.

Impact on Tenants and Landlords

Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook highlighted the need for improved housing quality, noting that 21% of homes in the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and 10% in the social rented sector currently fail to meet the DHS. He stated: “Our new, modernised DHS is designed to meet modern expectations of housing quality.” The standard will apply equally to social and private rented sectors, ensuring all tenants benefit regardless of landlord type.

Pennycook acknowledged the challenges landlords face amid regulatory changes, particularly social landlords balancing stock improvements with the need to build more affordable homes. The 2035 deadline is intended to provide sufficient time for landlords to meet these standards while maintaining housing supply.

Industry Reactions to the 2035 Timeline

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, criticised the extended timeline on social media, describing it as “absurd” to allow landlords to delay improvements for a decade. He warned this would leave millions of renters, including children, in poor-quality homes with limited options.

Conversely, Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), welcomed the government’s clarity on standards but emphasised the need for robust enforcement. He said: “Providing a decent, safe place to live should be the top priority for any landlord.” Beadle highlighted concerns about local authorities’ capacity to enforce standards and collect penalties from rogue landlords, calling for better funding and targeted enforcement to protect responsible landlords and tenants alike.

What This Means for UK Landlords

Landlords should begin preparing for the new Decent Homes Standard requirements, particularly focusing on repairs, energy efficiency, and safety features such as child-resistant window restrictors. While the 2035 deadline allows time for compliance, proactive landlords may benefit from early improvements to meet tenant expectations and regulatory demands.

Letting agents and property managers should also be aware of these changes to advise landlords appropriately and ensure rental properties comply with evolving standards. The government’s approach signals a long-term commitment to raising housing quality across the UK’s rented sectors.

Next Steps and Further Information

Landlords and agents can review the detailed criteria and government responses to the consultation on the reformed Decent Homes Standard via official government publications. Staying informed will be essential as further guidance and enforcement mechanisms develop in the coming years.

Suggested internal link anchors

• Decent Homes Standard
• Private Rented Sector regulations
• Energy Performance Certificate requirements
• Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards
• Landlord enforcement and penalties
• Social housing quality
• Tenant safety and housing conditions
• Property repairs and maintenance
• Housing Minister statements
• Rented sector housing standards

TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/