Over one in five private rented homes in England fails to meet the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) and would be illegal to rent, should the proposed extension of the DHS within the Renters’ Rights Bill (RRB) pass into law, according to Inventory Base.

Inventory Base analysed government data and found that an estimated total 3.78 million residential dwellings in England currently fall below the Decent Homes Standard, equivalent to 14.9% of all homes. 

When it comes to private rented homes, 21% of properties fall below the DHS, equivalent to an estimated 1.027 million homes, meaning that, should the RRB pass into law with the proposed DHS reforms intact, more than one in five private rented homes will require upgrading in order to be legally let to tenants. 

Sián Hemming-Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, said: “The Renters’ Rights Bill represents one of the most disruptive overhauls of England’s rental sector in a generation. Landlords will face enormous pressure navigating the transition, from the end of fixed-term ASTs and no-fault evictions, to new rules on pets and a sweeping expansion of the Decent Homes Standard. 

“If the DHS proposal becomes law, over a million privately rented homes will require significant upgrades. That’s a massive, time-intensive, and costly task, especially without a clear support structure. The likely outcome? Widespread non-compliance or accelerated landlord sell-offs. 

“Agents and landlords need clarity now. They must assess where they stand, what actions will be required by 2035 or 2037, and how tools like property inspections can close the gap between today’s standards and tomorrow’s expectations.”

The proposed RRB contains a mechanism that will extend the DHS to also cover the private rented sector and any changes will need to be implemented by either 2035 or 2037.