Safety in the property

The decent homes standard is a measure of general housing conditions introduced by the Government in 2000. Although private landlords are not directly required to take any action to bring their properties up to this standard, the Government has set targets for local authorities. This challenge has had a major affect on their approach to the private rented sector and is therefore likely to have a significant indirect affect on landlords. The private rented sector currently has the lowest percentage of decent homes of all sectors.

Information from Communities and local Goverment. This booklet tells you about landlords' and tenants responsibilities for repairs under short (less than seven years) leases of residential property. Short leases can be granted by private landlords or public bodies eg local councils, housing associations. They include periodic tenancies where the tenant has not got a fixed term agreement and occupies property eg from week to week or month to month. Through most of this booklet the terms 'landlord' and 'tenant' are used, but in some cases the arrangement between the parties will not be a tenancy but a licence. 'Licensor' and 'licensee' may generally be read for 'landlord'and 'tenant' wherever this occurs.

Where there are differences in the law between tenancies and licences, this is explained. If you are not sure whether you have a tenancy or a licence, it may be helpful to look at the booklets Assured and Assured Shorthold Tenancies - a guide for landlords/tenants, or Letting Rooms in Your Home - a guide for resident landlords or Renting Rooms in Someone's Home - a guide for people renting from resident landlords.

The energy consumed in homes is responsible for over a quarter of all UK emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change. Using energy more efficiently and cutting out wastage will reduce carbon emissions as well as your fuel bills. What's more, making your home as energy efficient as possible could save you over £300 a year.