If the decent homes standard is to improve standards in the private rented sector, local authorities will have to enforce it vigorously, but at the moment levels of housing enforcement activity vary hugely between local authorities. We accept that much enforcement activity is, and should remain, informal, especially, at least initially, where landlords are non-compliant out of ignorance, but if the proposals are to deter the very worst landlords, enforcement rates will have to improve signifi...

If the decent homes standard is to improve standards in the private rented sector, local authorities will have to enforce it vigorously, but at the moment levels of housing enforcement activity vary hugely between local authorities. We accept that much enforcement activity is, and should remain, informal, especially, at least initially, where landlords are non-compliant out of ignorance, but if the proposals are to deter the very worst landlords, enforcement rates will have to improve significantly across the vast majority of local authorities. For this reason, we welcome the proposals to improve enforcement, particularly the property portal, Type: recommendation | Number: 12 | Paragraph: 89 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: We fully agree that a strong and effective enforcement regime is vital to ensure the reforms deliver on their ambitions and that tenants get safe and secure homes. We are committed to ensuring that local councils have the powers and reso