Renters' Rights Act 2025: Phase 3

In phase 3 of the Renters' Rights Act implementation a Decent Homes Standard (DHS) will be introduced to the private rented sector for the first time.

To be decent a home must meet the following five criteria:

A - A home must be free of the most dangerous hazards

To meet this criterion, properties must be free of category 1 hazards as assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)

Guidance for landlords on hazards as assessed under the HHSRS - GOV.UK

B - A home must be in a reasonable state of repair

Homes will fail against this criterion if:

• One or more key building components is not in a reasonable state of repair or
• Two or more other building components are not in a reasonable state of repair.

C - A home must provide core facilities and services

Flats must provide at least three of the following facilities:

• A kitchen with adequate space and layout
• An appropriately located bathroom and WC
• Adequate external noise insulation
• Adequate size and layout of common entrance areas for blocks of flats

Houses must provide at least two of the following facilities:

• A kitchen with adequate space and layout
• An appropriately located bathroom and WC
• Adequate external noise insulation

Homes must also be equipped with child-resistant window restrictors, which can be overridden by an adult, on all windows which present a fall risk for children.

D - A home must provide a reasonable degree of thermal comfort

This includes ensuring homes meet Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards.

A New Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard of EPC C by 1 October 2030.

As part of the new Decent Home Standard all domestic privately rented properties in England and Wales will be required to meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) of EPC C or equivalent by 1 October 2030 unless a valid exemption is in place.

E - A home should be free of damp and mould

Homes will be non-decent if a landlord has not remedied damp and mould.

The new DHS will apply from 2035; however, landlords should not delay taking action now and can prepare by:

• Inspect properties and fix hazards
• Budget for repairs
• Respond quickly to repair requests
• Ensure you have a clear process in place for communicating with your tenants.
• Ensure your tenants know how to contact you should they have a problem.

Awaab’s Law

It is proposed to extend Awaab’s Law to the PRS, setting clear legally enforceable timeframes within which PRS landlords must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards. This will empower tenants to challenge dangerous conditions in their homes. The government will consult on the details of this policy, including implementation timescales, in due course.

Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act - GOV.UK