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<p>The Department has seen the number of private rented homes failing to meet the
Decent Homes Standard fall 15 per cent since 2010 – a record low. We have also seen
the number of social homes failing to meet the Decent Homes Standard decrease significantly.</p><p>Local
authorities have powers under the Housing Act 2004 to review the Private Rented Sector
stock and to tackle poor rented property conditions which may impact peoples’ health.
They must take enforcement action where the most serious (category 1) hazards are
present - this is usually assessed through the Housing Health and Safety Rating System
(HHSRS).</p><p>In October 2018 the Government launched a scoping review to consider
whether the HHSRS should be updated and, if so, to what extent. This review has now
reported, and I announced that there will be a comprehensive overhaul of the HHSRS
to begin later this year.</p><p>In addition, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation)
Act, which came into force on 20th March 2019, empowers tenants to take their landlords
to court if they fail to address health and safety hazards. <br> <br>We have also
launched the Social Housing Green Paper which asks if we should consider what constitutes
a decent home.</p>
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