Decent Homes Standard & Awaab's Law

What you need to know

• The Decent Homes Standard is now mandatory for private landlords.
• Awaab’s Law requires urgent action on damp, mould, and other serious hazards.
• Local authorities will have strong enforcement powers.
• Landlords must proactively maintain and upgrade their properties.

What Is the Decent Homes Standard?

Previously only applicable to social housing, the Decent Homes Standard sets out minimum expectations for property condition. The Renters’ Rights Act will mean this now applies in the private rented sector.

Private landlords must now ensure properties are

• Free from serious health and safety hazards.
• In a reasonable state of repair.
• Equipped with modern facilities (e.g. kitchens and bathrooms).
• Warm and energy-efficient

Legal requirements for private landlords

Compliance with the Decent Homes Standard will become a legal obligation. Landlords should proactively assess their properties and carry out any necessary upgrades to avoid penalties.

Local councils will now be able to

• Inspect properties suspected of falling below the standard.
• Issue enforcement notices.
• Take legal action against landlords who fail to comply.

Awaab’s Law

Named after two-year-old Awaab Ishak, who tragically died due to prolonged exposure to mould in his home, this law will apply to both social and private landlords and is designed to prevent avoidable tragedies by enforcing swift action.

Awaab's Law introduces strict timelines for addressing serious hazards

• Emergency repairs (e.g. dangerous damp or mould) must be completed within 24 hours.
• Other serious issues must be investigated and resolved within a set timeframe. 

Consequences for non-compliance

Landlords who fail to meet the new legal standards under the Renters’ Rights Act may face serious consequences. Both the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law come with clear enforcement mechanisms to ensure tenants are protected and properties are properly maintained.

The new rules mean

• Local councils can issue improvement notices and impose civil penalties of up to £7,000 for failure to address serious hazards.
• Persistent or serious breaches may lead to criminal prosecution or rent repayment orders via the First-tier Tribunal.
• Awaab’s Law will be implied into tenancy agreements, allowing tenants to take landlords to court for breach of contract.
• Tenants can also escalate unresolved issues to the new Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman for independent redress.

What landlords need to do

Landlords and lettings agents will need to consider the new legislation and ensure their managed properties comply with the new standards.

To comply with the new standard

• Conduct regular inspections and act promptly on repair requests.
• Document all maintenance activity to demonstrate compliance.
• Upgrade insulation, heating, and ventilation to meet energy and safety standards.
• Respond quickly to reports of damp, mould, or other hazards.