Campaigners cry foul over the government's plan to enforce the decent homes standard in England, but is it as simple as they make out? The reality is that local authorities already have the powers and duties to tackle health and safety issues in both private and social rented sectors. In fact, many of the factors outlined in the revised decent homes standard (DHS) could trigger category 2 hazards, which are already within their remit.
The problem lies not with the laws themselves, but with the lack of enforcement by local authorities due to insufficient resources and training for environmental health practitioners. The complexity of the new regulatory landscape also plays a role, as officers point out that the changes add to the administrative burden.
When the provisions on the DHS are finally implemented, it won't be just local authorities dealing with private rented properties – they'll also have to work in tandem with the social housing regulator, an agency woefully unprepared for enforcement on social landlord conditions. Will we then see a situation where two under-resourced regulatory agencies are left to navigate this complex issue? The answer is far from clear.
Campaigners may bemoan the fact that enforcement will not begin until 2035, but the real question is whether local authorities have what it takes to make it happen – and whether they'll be able to do so without leaving them scrambling for resources and expertise. Only time will tell.
The problem lies not with the laws themselves, but with the lack of enforcement by local authorities due to insufficient resources and training for environmental health practitioners. The complexity of the new regulatory landscape also plays a role, as officers point out that the changes add to the administrative burden.
When the provisions on the DHS are finally implemented, it won't be just local authorities dealing with private rented properties – they'll also have to work in tandem with the social housing regulator, an agency woefully unprepared for enforcement on social landlord conditions. Will we then see a situation where two under-resourced regulatory agencies are left to navigate this complex issue? The answer is far from clear.
Campaigners may bemoan the fact that enforcement will not begin until 2035, but the real question is whether local authorities have what it takes to make it happen – and whether they'll be able to do so without leaving them scrambling for resources and expertise. Only time will tell.
. It's like they think the government is just gonna magically make it happen overnight. Newsflash: enforcing laws takes resources and training! Local authorities already have the power to tackle health and safety issues, so why are they being made to look incompetent? The real issue here is the lack of enforcement due to lack of funding 
. I'm not saying the new standard isn't a good idea, but we need to be realistic about how it's gonna be implemented. And let's be real, 2035 feels like an eternity 
. Can't we just get some concrete actions happening already? 
... I mean, I get that we need decent homes but enforcement is key 
. If local authorities are already equipped to handle health and safety issues, then it's a case of them stepping up their game 
. Training and resources aren't just about giving officers a new badge – it's about equipping them with the skills to tackle complex problems 
. And yeah, working with the social housing regulator is gonna be a challenge 
... but maybe that's a chance for collaboration? 
If we don't have a clear plan in place, how can we expect success by 2035? 
?
I'm kinda worried about this new decent homes standard thingy... I mean, I get why campaigners are upset but I think the gov's actually got a point here 
.
... it's just a shame they're not getting enough support from the agencies that are supposed to help them out 
.
the gov's already giving 'em a lot on their plate. and what's with all this fuss about enforcement? it's not like they're gonna just magically appear out of thin air 
. and social housing regulator? more problems for local authorities to deal with 
. i think we need to take a chill pill and let the professionals sort it out 
.
... cant just blame laws, gotta look at da people enforcin em. And social housing regulator? sounds like theyre sleepwalkin into a nightmare 