In a housing market often defined by tension and distrust, the nation’s landlords are calling time on the narrative that paints them all as villains. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has made it clear: good landlords are working hard to offer safe, decent homes — and it’s time tenants, politicians, and the public started recognising that.
In response to the Government’s consultation on a new Decent Homes Standard — set to cover both private and social rented housing — the NRLA has welcomed moves to raise the bar. But they’ve also issued a sharp reminder: talk is cheap without enforcement. And most landlords? They’re already doing the job.
“Decent and safe housing should be the bedrock of the rental market,” said Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the NRLA. “Any landlord failing to provide this should have no place in the private rented sector.”
It’s not just empty rhetoric. According to the NRLA, a staggering 79% of privately rented homes already meet the current Decent Homes Standard — despite there being no legal requirement to do so. That’s millions of tenants already living in secure, quality housing thanks to responsible landlords who invest, repair, and deliver. Yet rarely do they get any thanks.
Beadle continued: “We want to ensure every rented home is of a decent quality. We welcome the Government’s proposals and will engage constructively. But standards alone won’t change the sector — enforcement will.”
The message is clear: bad landlords must be driven out — but not at the expense of vilifying the majority who are doing their job well. Without properly funded councils to police the outliers, rogue operators will keep dragging the sector down.
The truth is this: while the rental debate rages on, thousands of decent landlords quietly provide good homes, take pride in their properties, and play by the rules. It’s time they got some credit.
Because respect, like housing, should go both ways.