What is the Decent Homes Standard?

The Decent Homes Standard is a set of minimum conditions a rented home must meet — covering safety, repair, heating, and insulation. It currently applies to social housing. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 will extend it to private rented homes in England, but this has not yet come into force.

The standard requires that a home must: be free from serious hazards (Category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System); be in a reasonable state of repair; have reasonably modern facilities; and provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort — meaning it must have efficient heating and adequate insulation.

For private tenants, the full Decent Homes Standard is expected to be phased in over the coming years. Exact timelines are still being confirmed by the government. By 2030, all privately rented homes must also meet EPC rating C or above for energy efficiency.

Even before the Decent Homes Standard applies to private rentals, landlords already have legal obligations. They must maintain the structure and exterior of the property, keep gas, electricity and plumbing safe, and ensure the property is free from serious hazards.

If your home has serious structural problems, no working heating, or dangerous conditions, contact your local council's environmental health team now. You don't need the Decent Homes Standard — existing laws already require your landlord to act.