Milton Keynes Lib Dem Group criticises delay in enforcing Decent Homes Standard for private renters
The Milton Keynes Lib Dem Group has criticised the Government’s delay in enforcing the Decent Homes Standard for private renters.
The Decent Homes Standard is a policy which according to Government documents has been designed to ensure all rented homes in England are ‘decent, safe and warm.’
To be classed as ‘decent’ homes must meet five criteria - being free of the most dangerous hazards, being in a reasonable state of repair, providing core facilities and services, providing thermal comfort and being free of damp and mould.
It will apply from 2035 to both the social and private rented sectors, a move the Lib Dem Group argue is nine years too late for the more than 20,000 private renters across Milton Keynes.
Milton Keynes Lib Dem Group’s spokesperson for housing Cllr Clare Tevlin said: “This is a real kick in the teeth for private renters.
“Residents across the city were promised decent and safe homes.
“Instead, they’ve been told to wait until 2035.
“This means more years of damp, mould, cold homes and repairs being ignored.
“We’ll continue to push for these standards to be enforced much sooner so local people get the decent homes they were promised.”
Explaining its decision to introduce the standard in 2035 the Government said: “This timeframe has been chosen to allow landlords time to implement other regulatory changes and to support the supply of new secure and affordable homes.
“However, we are clear that landlords should not delay all action until the end of the implementation period.”