Recommendation 7

We recommend that the new Private Rented Sector Database allows private landlords to self-declare that their properties comply with the new Decent Homes Standard at the earliest opportunity. Using the database in this way would allow landlords who already comply to differentiate themselves from their competitors and encourage early adoption among others. To deter landlords from falsely declaring compliance, local authorities should be supported to use their powers to investigate landlords’ self-declarations and take enforcement action against landlords who falsely declare compliance, especially if they do so knowingly and continuously. The database should also provide an easy mechanism for tenants to report self-declarations they suspect are false. (Recommendation, Paragraph 45)