4 Key Things Landlords Need to Know About the New Decent Homes Standard (2026) Guaranteed Rent Edition
- Adam Green
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
1. Applies to All Landlords - Including Private Rented Sector
The Decent Homes Standard has now been officially extended beyond just social housing. From 2035, it will apply to all private rented homes in England. Landlords who rent directly or through agents will be subject to the same baseline rules as housing associations and councils.
This makes partnering with a regulated provider like Apex (who already meets and exceeds compliance thresholds) a smart way to future-proof your rental income.
2. Landlords Must Meet 5 Core Legal Criteria
To be considered “decent,” all rented homes must:
Be free of the most dangerous hazards (Category 1 under HHSRS)
Be in a reasonable state of repair (covering structure, services, heating, ventilation, etc.)
Provide core facilities and services (like suitable kitchen, WC layout, and window safety)
Provide thermal comfort (including programmable whole-home heating and insulation)
Be free of damp and mould (proactively addressed and resolved, not just responded to)
Failure to meet these could result in £7,000–£40,000 in fines, prosecutions, and a ban on letting the property.
3. Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) Is Part of This
From 1 October 2030, private rented homes must hit EPC band C under two new metrics, including fabric performance and either smart readiness or heating system type. A £10,000 cap on spending applies, and exemptions are time-limited.
If landlords don’t meet this, the home cannot legally be rented privately - Apex applies this legislation to our guaranteed rent scheme. Apex will always require proof of EPC and can help landlords plan improvements before 2030.
4. Enforcement Powers Are Stronger and Already Increasing
Local authorities will have a duty to inspect properties where tenants raise concerns
Immediate civil penalties of £7,000 can now be issued for the most dangerous hazards
Maximum fines for ongoing non-compliance will rise to £40,000
Awaab’s Law is also being extended to the private sector - meaning strict repair timeframes for mould, damp and safety hazards
What This Means for Guaranteed Rent Landlords
Whilst Apex can support and guide upon compliance, it remains the landlord’s responsibility to to provide licensing, EPCs, safety checks and repairs. We can support and guide, but we can’t override the law.
“This new standard confirms what we’ve said for years, quality housing and full compliance are non-negotiable,” says Vatche Cherchian, CEO of Apex Housing Solutions. “As a long-term guaranteed rent provider backed by private equity and working with 25+ boroughs, we already apply most (if not all) of these measures. We welcome regulation that brings the rest of the market up to the same level.”
🔗 Want to see the full Decent Homes Standard?
Read the official government policy here:
📞 Thinking of letting your property to the council via guaranteed rent?
Make sure your property meets the standard or let Apex help you get there.
Get in touch:
0203 0304 241