As of January 2026, the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) has been expanded into the private rented sector, placing new legal responsibilities on private landlords across the UK, in addition to those who own social housing. This follows as in 2023, the English Housing Survey uncovered 3.8 million privately rented homes failed to meet decent standards and were, in fact, providing less than acceptable conditions compared to social housing.
For the first time, ‘adequate heating’ is no longer just guidance for landlords. It’s becoming a compliance requirement with tenants wellbeing at the forefront, outlining a clear focus on thermal comfort, damp prevention and tenant wellbeing.
So what does this mean for private landlords and how can they ensure their properties meet the new legal requirements?
The 2026 standard shift: quality heating will be a legal requirement
The 2026 update to housing standards is shifting from infrastructure-based compliance to ensuring outcome-based living conditions. This means landlords are no longer following a tick-box criteria based on whether a heating system exists. Instead, they have to ensure the conditions of a property are safe and provide a comfortable standard of living for tenants.
As the Warm Homes Plan explained, the UK Government has changed the standards so now the focus is on ensuring homes are ‘fit to live in’. Though the update has recently been released, Landlords have some time to make the Decent Homes Standard updates, with the criteria met by 2035.
What does “adequate heating” mean within the Decent Homes Standard update?
To meet the updated Decent Homes Standard, private landlords must ensure a property fits the criteria across a few areas covering heating and quality of living specifically. Each home must:
- Provide ‘thermal comfort’ (Criterion D), meaning reliable heating is available in all habitable rooms
- ‘A home should be free of damp and mould’ (Criterion E)
- Therefore, the home maintains safe, consistent indoor temperatures
- Is in a reasonable state of repair (Criterion B)
This comes as nearly half (45%) of private renters are living in homes with excessive damp, mould, or cold, highlighting the significance of these new standards being brought in. For properties fitted with old, unreliable heating systems, while their boiler and heaters may ‘technically’ still work, many tenants are suffering from unpleasant living conditions due to inconsistent temperatures and cold rooms, which become prone to condensation.
Why consistent heating matters more than ever
One of the biggest changes in the DHS is the shift to ensure homes are provided with ‘thermal stability’ (Criterion D) — maintaining a consistent indoor temperature to protect both the building and its occupants.
In rented homes fitted with traditional heating systems, older systems can release heat in short bursts as the boiler powers on and off, or old storage heaters can release heat unevenly. This causes rooms to warm up quickly and then cool down just as fast, creating constant temperature fluctuations — known as pulsing heat.
This can be problematic, as once the air cools, moisture settles on colder surfaces like walls and windows, increasing the risk of condensation, damp patches and mould growth over time. If left untreated, it can cause respiratory problems, infections, allergies, and asthma. You can see why the latest changes to the Decent Homes Standard focuses on creating a stable indoor environment in aid of supporting long-term health and comfort for tenants.
How can temperature control support landlords and tenants?
Heating compliance is no longer just about having a single heating system in place. To provide thermal comfort, landlords must prove every room in a property can be heated effectively, delivering consistent room-by-room thermal comfort that’s both ‘programmable’ and ‘controlled’ by the tenants — which isn’t possible relying on a single thermostat.
This is where modern heating solutions, like electric heating, can help. Using precise, room-by-room controlled thermostats, rooms benefit from targeted, consistent heating set at a schedule that suits the tenants lifestyle and routine. Not only will tenants feel warmer and comfortable at times that suit them, landlords can maintain consistent temperatures across the property in compliance with the new standards.
Using a wireless thermostat system, both landlords and tenants can:
- Set tailored 7‑day heating schedules
- Adjust temperatures room by room
- Maintain stable, compliant indoor conditions
This precise level of control not only demonstrates compliance with the thermal comfort requirements of the 2026 standard, it also improves energy-efficiency by heating the home at times when it’s required.
Choosing the right heating system to meet the Decent Homes Standard
If your current system struggles to maintain stable temperatures, it may fall short of the new standard. But that’s where modern electric heating systems can help. Built for efficiency, stability, and ease of control: here’s some of the ways an electric heating system can help landlords meet the new thermal comfort requirements:
- Electric radiators for steady warmth: Energy‑efficient electric radiators made with Fischer’s with 40mm HeatCore maintain consistent temperatures, distributing heat evenly throughout your room, minimising fluctuations that cause damp and discomfort
- Storage heating: Particularly effective for vulnerable tenants, high heat retention storage heaters collect heat during off‑peak hours and release it gradually, ensuring lasting warmth throughout the day
- Electric boilers: For homes already using wet systems, electric boiler heating systems offer a straightforward, gas‑free replacement or can be incorporated using an electric hybrid heating system
For the full range, take a look at electric heating systems for landlords to find the best fit for your property’s needs.
How heating reliability protects vulnerable tenants
For older homeowners and tenants, achieving thermal comfort depends on 100% system uptime — meaning the heating system must deliver consistent warmth at all times, without sudden drops in temperature or unexpected outages.
That’s why for those more vulnerable, reliable heating is a health and safety necessity. Older adults and tenants with health conditions are especially sensitive to cold environments, and even short periods without heat can increase the risk of respiratory conditions, circulatory issues, and damp‑related illnesses.
Maintaining steady room temperatures throughout the day and night helps prevent these health complications, while ensuring landlords meet their duty of care under the 2026 Decent Homes Standard.
The risk of system downtime to your property
Traditional gas or oil powered heating systems often depend on annual servicing, mechanical parts, or external fuel supplies, leaving tenants exposed if the system fails and therefore are left without warm water or heating.
While modern, electric heating systems benefit from regular, annual servicing, since they are built with fewer moving parts, they provide continuous uptime because they:
- Require little maintenance
- Also don’t rely on fuel deliveries as do oil tank systems
With fewer components at risk, this reliability helps landlords meet their duty to maintain a safe, warm environment for all occupants.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 Decent Homes Standard
Q: What is the new heating requirement for private landlords in 2026?
A: As of January 2026, the Decent Homes Standard (DHS) requires private landlords to provide “adequate heating” that ensures thermal comfort and prevents damp. This is now a mandatory legal compliance requirement focused on tenant wellbeing.
Q: Does the Decent Homes Standard apply to all rental properties?
A: Yes. As of January 2026, the DHS has been expanded from social housing to include the entire private rented sector (PRS) across the UK. All private landlords must now ensure their properties meet these minimum health and safety standards.
Q: How does the 2026 DHS define “adequate heating”?
A: The standard defines it as a primary heating system capable of maintaining a healthy indoor temperature (typically 18°C) and providing consistent thermal stability throughout the whole home to eliminate condensation and damp.
Taking the next steps towards compliance and thermal comfort
With the 2026 Decent Homes Standard now setting higher expectations for private rental properties, quality and consistent heating is both a legal obligation for UK landlords and a mark of good tenant care.
Fischer’s range of advanced electric systems is designed to help private landlords achieve exactly that. Whether you’re upgrading an existing setup or planning a full replacement, you can browse electric heating systems for your property to find the right solution.If you’re ready to take the next step, request a free Fischer heating catalogue today.