Propertymark has welcomed the UK Government’s response to the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) consultation, and is pleased that ministers have listened to its calls by making a number of pragmatic changes that better reflect the realities of the private rented sector.
The UK Government has confirmed that the Decent Homes Standard will be enforced from 2035, giving landlords and agents time to plan and deliver proportionate improvements. While Propertymark had called for enforcement from 2037 in its response to the consultation in September 2025, the organisation recognises that the extended lead-in period provides sufficient time for compliance in the vast majority of cases.
Under the proposals, properties will be required to meet five core criteria covering safety, repair, facilities, energy efficiency, and damp and mould.
Propertymark supports the focus on removing Category 1 hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, alongside clearer expectations around reasonable standards of repair for key components such as roofs, heating systems, electrics, and windows. The organisation agrees that homes should be safe, well-maintained, and fit for modern living.
Crucially, Propertymark is pleased that the UK Government has dropped proposals to mandate the replacement of kitchens and bathrooms based purely on age, as well as removing requirements around enhanced security measures and floor coverings. These measures were not evidence-based and failed to reflect the existing condition of most privately rented homes. Propertymark consistently highlighted that the sector is already largely compliant in these areas, and that insurers often already require appropriate security standards.
Propertymark has also welcomed the UK Government’s approach to heating and energy efficiency, including the requirement for a controllable primary heating system in every room and alignment with existing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
Importantly, the UK Government has confirmed a number of key exemptions, which Propertymark directly called for in its consultation response. These include exemptions where tenants do not provide access, where MEES exemptions apply, and where physical or planning constraints make works impossible. These exemptions were not originally set out in the consultation proposals and represent a significant and pragmatic step forward.
However, alongside these positive announcements, Propertymark’s consultation response also warned that some older properties may not be able to fit window restrictors and is seeking clarity as to whether the physical and planning constraints exemption will apply.
On damp and mould, Propertymark supports the emphasis on proactive management and clarity for landlords and agents, particularly as the extension of Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector approaches. However, given that all but the least serious cases will be considered, tenants should have a key responsibility in avoiding incidents of damp and mould.
Propertymark stresses that enforcement must be applied consistently and proportionately across all local authorities to avoid regional disparities, and has called for clear guidance to support landlords and agents in understanding their responsibilities and for a fair and consistent approach from local authorities.
Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, comments:
“Propertymark has consulted widely with its members and is clear that the majority of homes they manage are already largely compliant with the new Decent Homes Standard. We welcome the 2035 enforcement date, which gives landlords and agents sufficient time to make any small, proportionate improvements needed to comply.
“We are pleased the UK Government has listened to the sector by dropping age-based replacement requirements for kitchens and bathrooms, and by removing measures where the private rented sector is already compliant.
“We also strongly welcome the inclusion of key exemptions around access, MEES, and physical constraints, which Propertymark specifically called for. As guidance is finalised, it must be clear, practical and applied consistently by all local authorities to support agents, landlords and tenants alike.”
The UK Government’s response can be read here: Consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard for social and privately rented homes: government response – GOV.UK
