THE DECENT HOMES STANDARD
The Bill will introduce a Decent Homes Standard (DHS) in the private rented sector for the first time. It will set out DHS requirements for private rented sector homes and will provide local councils with effective and proportionate enforcement powers. If a privately rented property fails to meet DHS requirements, the local council will have a range of enforcement mechanisms available. This includes, for example, issuing an improvement notice requiring the landlord to remedy the failure within a specified timescale. Landlords who fail to comply with enforcement action can be subject to a civil penalty or criminal prosecution. If such an offence is committed, the tenant or local council can also apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a rent repayment order. There will be a legal duty on landlords to ensure their property meets the DHS. For landlords who fail to take reasonably practicable steps to keep their properties free of serious hazards, local councils will also have a new power to issue civil penalties of up to £7,000.
AWAAB’S LAW
Following the tragic and avoidable death of 2-year old Awaab Ishak due to prolonged exposure to mould in his social rented home, the Manchester Evening News, Shelter and the Ishak family led a campaign for ‘Awaab’s Law’ . This was introduced for social housing through the Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023. The Renters’ Rights Bill will now extend Awaab’s Law to privately rented homes. This will ensure that tenants are empowered to challenge dangerous conditions and that all landlords must take swift action to make sure homes are safe. The measures in the bill will allow new requirements to be set requiring private rented sector landlords to address hazards, such as damp and mould, within a specified time period. If landlords do not comply, tenants will be able to bring enforcement action against them through the courts.
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