Local authority leaders have welcomed a consultation on improving standards in the private rented sector, but cautioned that councils should be sufficiently funded to deliver any new duties.

The Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities has today launched a consultation on introducing a Decent Homes Standard to the rented sector, which would mean landlords are legally bound to make sure their property meets a reasonable standard.

The consultation seeks views whether privately rented homes should be required to be kept in a good state of repair with efficient heating, suitable facilities, and free from serious hazards like major damp or fire risks.

It also asks whether such new standards should be introduced and on how they should be enforced.

Housing secretary Greg Clark said: ‘I want to see a thriving private rented sector, but that does not mean that tenants should have to suffer homes that are not of decent standard.

‘This consultation asks what the minimum standard for privately rented homes should be.’

Alicia Kennedy, director of Generation Rent said: ‘We welcome these plans to extend the Decent Homes Standard to private rented homes.

‘As the private rented sector has grown to overtake the social sector in size, not enough action has been taken on the poorer conditions private tenants must put up with. Private rented homes are more costly to heat and at a higher risk of disrepair and damp problems. There is no reason why private tenants should expect a worse service than social tenants. This crucial measure will help tenants get value for money, whoever they rent from, and stop landlords from profiting by cutting corners.’

Responding to the launch of the consultation, Cllr David Renard, housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), said: ‘We are pleased that the Government is making progress on their commitment to extending a legally binding Decent Homes Standard to improve conditions in the private rented sector.

‘It will be vital that councils are sufficiently resourced, through new burdens funding, to support the implementation of the standard, and that it is introduced in a way which minimises disruption to the overall supply of stock in the private rented sector market.’