"The good news is that the vast majority of landlords are already providing quality homes and won’t need to make upgrades to their properties because they already surpass this new minimum standard"
- Bekki Leaves - FCC Paragon
New research from FCC Paragon suggests that despite landlords' concerns about the upcoming Decent Homes Standard (DHS), only around one in five privately rented properties in England are likely to require upgrades.
As part of the proposed Renter’s Rights Bill, the new DHS will apply to the private rental sector for the first time, setting a minimum requirement for homes to be “safe and decent.” While this marks a significant policy shift, FCC Paragon’s analysis of government data indicates that most landlords are already compliant.
According to the findings, just 21% of privately rented homes in England currently fall below the proposed standard.
Regional differences are significant. London leads with the highest-quality rental stock—only 11.6% of homes in the capital are below standard. However, the proportion rises to 31% in the North West, 27% in Yorkshire and the Humber, and more than a quarter in both the East Midlands (26.4%) and South West (25.7%).
What Makes a Home ‘Decent’?
Under the new DHS, a property must meet four key criteria to be deemed ‘decent’:
Be in a reasonable state of repair
Offer reasonably modern facilities and services
Provide adequate thermal comfort
Be free of Category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
Category 1 hazards include serious issues such as mould, excessive cold or heat, asbestos, carbon monoxide risks, and structural dangers like trip or fall hazards.
Although the standard introduces stricter rules, the data suggests most landlords won’t need significant investment to comply—providing reassurance ahead of the bill’s expected rollout.
“Nobody can argue that the introduction of a Decent Homes Standard is anything but a positive move for the UK rental market, and it will help ensure that all landlords provide a home fit for purpose, with functioning heating, working facilities, and an absence of dangerous hazards," explained managing director of FCC Paragon, Bekki Leaves.
She adds, "The good news is that the vast majority of landlords are already providing quality homes and won’t need to make upgrades to their properties because they already surpass this new minimum standard.
"For those who aren’t, compliance is key, as If they fail to do so, the DHS gives local councils a range of mechanisms to uphold the standard, such as strict timeframes within which to improve the standard of their properties.
"Landlords who fail to comply with this council action can be fined up to £7,000, forced to repay rent to impacted tenants, and even face criminal prosecution.”
