Repairs and standards
Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes from 2035
The government has confirmed that a new Decent Homes Standard will apply to privately rented homes from 2035, enforced by councils. The standard's regulations have not yet been made.
- Status
- Not yet in force: confirmed, no start date
- Penalty
- Civil penalty up to £7,000
We hold this rule at medium confidence. Read the linked law before you rely on it.
Who it applies to
Will apply to qualifying residential premises in the private rented sector (including supported housing and temporary accommodation, with specific guidance) once regulations under Housing Act 2004 s.2A are made and commenced.
What you will need to do
From 2035, homes must meet five criteria: (A) free of category 1 HHSRS hazards; (B) in a reasonable state of repair; (C) reasonably modern facilities and services, including child-resistant window restrictors that an adult can override on windows that present a fall risk to children; (D) thermal comfort, including meeting the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards; (E) free of damp and mould. Criterion A already applies in practice and criterion D aligns with the 2030 energy standard. Government expects landlords to start work now and will publish guidance.
- Deadline
Year 2035 confirmed in the government response of 28 January 2026; no exact day has been set.
If you do not comply
- Civil penalty
- Up to £7,000, once this rule is in force
- Other consequences
- When commenced, failures to meet 'type 1 requirements' fall within the £7,000 civil penalty in Housing Act 2004 s.6A and the council's enforcement duty; that part of s.6A is not yet in force.
The law
- Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.100 and Schedule 4 (power to set standards for qualifying residential premises, inserting Housing Act 2004 ss.2A and 2B)legislation.gov.uk
Official guidance
Notes
Marked confirmed_future because the government response states 'The new DHS will apply from 2035 in both the social and private rented sectors'. Medium confidence: only the year is fixed, the regulations under s.2A have not been made, and the content could change before then. effective_from is null because no exact date has been published.
Other repairs and standards rules
7 rulesCouncils assess homes under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and must take enforcement action if they find a category 1 (high risk) hazard, so landlords need to keep homes free of them.
If the council serves an improvement notice, you must start and finish the specified works by the dates in the notice; failing to do so is a criminal offence.
- Civil penalty up to £7,000 for a category 1 hazard (in force 22 June 2026)In force since 22 June 2026Fine up to £7,000
Since 22 June 2026 councils can fine the responsible landlord up to £7,000 when they first take enforcement action on a category 1 hazard in a privately rented home, if it would have been reasonably practicable to remove it.
- Awaab's Law (fixed timescales for hazards) for private tenanciesProposed, not yet law
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 contains the power to extend Awaab's Law (legal deadlines to investigate and fix hazards such as damp and mould) to private tenancies, but it is not in force and no start date has been set.
For tenancies under 7 years, the landlord must keep the structure and exterior in repair and keep the water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water installations in repair and working order.
- Keep the home fit for human habitationIn force since 20 March 2019
The home must be fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and throughout it. Tenants can go to court if it is not.
Where the landlord repairing covenant applies, you may enter to view the condition and state of repair only at reasonable times and after giving the occupier 24 hours' written notice.