Committee urges incentives for landlords to accelerate Decent Homes Standard compliance

The report also recommends the government roll out Awaab's Law in the private rented sector in 2026 to ensure that legal timescales for landlords to resolve hazards are fully in place across the private rented sector by the end of 2028/29.

Responsibility still falls on tenants to act against their landlord through the courts, by contacting their local authority or by approaching the ombudsman for redress.

It calls for the government to conduct and publish a full assessment of the resources and powers currently available to local authorities to regulate and enforce standards in the private rented sector.

One such power is Selective Licensing, which the report urges the government to make easier for councils to use by removing barriers that inhibit the uptake and effectiveness of these schemes.

The report demands greater protection for renters at the lowest end of the market, who are more vulnerable to rent increases and eviction.

However, the committee does not believe that rent controls would be a proportionate step at this stage, instead suggesting protection against above-market rent increases through the First Tier Tribunal.

Finally the committee reiterates the belief that the government should unfreeze the Local Housing Allowance and ensure it matches at least the 30th percentile of market rents to protect households on lower incomes.

The Committee says this will help reduce the risk of rent increases leading to households on the lowest incomes being displaced into poorer accommodation or made homeless.
Florence Eshalomi MP, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee said: “The government’s reforms to renters’ rights are welcome and can make an important contribution to improving housing conditions for tenants, helping people to live in safe and secure homes where they are treated fairly by their landlords.

“However, more needs to be done to ensure that the new tenants’ rights are enforceable and that landlords play by the rules. Stronger and more proactive regulation and enforcement of standards by local authorities is needed to improve conditions for tenants. The government needs to play its part by ensuring councils have the resources to do this job effectively and that the upcoming Private Rented Sector Database gives tenants the tools they need to check that their home is suitable and safe.

“Far too many private renters are living in homes that are sub-standard. Poor conditions in the rented sector are ultimately a symptom of the nation’s wider housing crisis, especially the lack of social and affordable housing. The government needs to come forward with the long-term housing strategy and set out a credible plan to address the drivers of poor housing conditions”.