Responding to publication of the Government’s consultation on a new Decent Homes Standard for the private and social rented sectors, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) welcomed the proposals, while emphasising the need for robust enforcement measures to accompany any new rules.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, stressed the importance of ensuring basic living standards across the rental market.
He said: “Decent and safe housing should be the bedrock of the rental market.
“Any landlord failing to provide this should have no place in the private rented sector.”
Beadle pointed out that a significant majority of landlords are already maintaining good standards, despite the current guidelines not being mandatory.
“79% of private rented homes already meet the existing Decent Homes Standard,” he noted, adding that the NRLA wants “to ensure every rented home is of a decent quality.”
He also voiced support for the consultation process itself, stating the NRLA will “engage positively” with the Government’s proposals.
However, he warned that clear rules alone will not be enough to protect tenants.
He continued: “Landlords, letting agents, tenants and councils need a clear, coherent and workable set of standards to meet.
“Setting this standard is only part of the solution. Without effective and properly resourced enforcement by councils, the minority of rogue and criminal landlords will continue to undermine tenants’ confidence and damage the reputation of the wider sector.”
He concluded with a call to action: “It is time to find and root out poor practice for good.”
