The Government’s decision to review the safety standards expected of rental housing has been welcomed by the Residential Landlords Association.

David Smith, Policy Director at the RLA, said: “We welcome the Government’s decision to review the safety standards around rented housing which the RLA has long called for. The current system has not been updated for 12 years with the guidance alongside it equally out of date.

“This review provides an important opportunity to improve enforcement against the minority of landlords who bring the sector into disrepute and fail to provide the safe accommodation they should.”

The Housing, Health and Safety Ratings System is used by local authorities to assess health and safety in residential properties – this includes both private rental properties and properties in the social housing sector.

By Patrick Mooney, editor