Decent Homes Standard (DHS)
The Decent Homes Standard (DHS) is a legally defined baseline for what counts as a “decent” home. It started in social housing but, under the Renters’ Rights Act, is being modernised and extended to the private rented sector (PRS) for the first time, with implementation tied to later phases of the Act.
In January 2026, the UK government confirmed that the new Decent Homes Standard will apply to the private rented sector from 2035. However, landlords should not treat this as a distant deadline. HHSRS enforcement is active now, Awaab's Law timescales for damp and mould apply from 2026, and local authorities can already act against properties with serious hazards. Auditing your stock and budgeting for upgrades now is the prudent approach.
For landlords, the DHS will sit alongside the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). HHSRS focuses on hazards. The Decent Homes Standard sets a clearer, positive standard.
In broad terms, a decent home must be free from serious health and safety hazards, in a reasonable state of repair, have reasonably modern kitchens, bathrooms, and services, and provide adequate heating, insulation, and comfort.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, meeting the DHS is expected to become a core rental standard, enforced through local authorities, the PRS Database and the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman, with civil penalty notices and rent repayment orders available for serious non-compliance.
For professional landlords, this means planning ahead, including auditing stock, budgeting for upgrades, alongside MEES and Awaab’s Law, and keeping strong paper trails on property inspections and works so you can demonstrate that each property meets and keeps meeting the Decent Homes Standard. Those updates include considering MEES and Awaab's Law.
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