Tackling housing quality: Local authorities’ increasing role in improving the private rented sector

The private rented sector has grown significantly over the past few decades and now accounts for nearly one in five of all homes in England. It is, however, the tenure group with the highest proportion of poor-quality, substandard homes; homes that may be damp, cold or hazardous. Many more will be inaccessible to people with mobility issues and often, landlords are hesitant to install aids and adaptations.

Local authorities’ reliance on the private rented sector

This is a particular problem for local authorities given that evictions from the sector are the biggest cause of homelessness in England (although this may change with the end to Section 21 evictions as part of the Renters’ Rights Act now coming into force) and rent increases are forcing others to leave. Research conducted by Shelter in 2023 found that private renters who complained to their landlord, letting agent or local council in the last three years were two and a half times more likely to be handed an eviction notice.

Local authorities are also increasingly reliant on the private rented sector for temporary accommodation while the growing number of people entering retirement and still privately renting will mean increasing numbers risking their health and wellbeing in inaccessible homes.

Legislative changes

Local authorities find themselves at the forefront of efforts to improve housing quality. Recent changes include:

• Awaab’s Law requires landlords to fix serious hazards like damp and mould within a set timeframe and places more pressure on local authorities to monitor and enforce housing quality standards effectively. Currently it only applies to social housing but when the Renters Right Act comes into action, it will also apply to the private rented sector. From October 2026, the remit will extend to other hazards such as excess cold, falls and structural issues.
• The Renters’ Rights Act, which aims to improve tenant protections and provide clearer rights to demand repairs, also shifts the balance in favour of renters, giving councils more authority to intervene when landlords fail to act.
• The Social Housing (Regulation) Act 2023 strengthens regulatory oversight by providing new powers to inspect and enforce standards in social housing.

One of the key questions all this legislative change leaves councils to grapple with is: how can they effectively improve the quality of homes in the private rental sector to meet these new challenges?

This is where our new project - led by the Centre for Ageing Better, in partnership with Campbell Tickell - comes into play. It provides local authorities with practical tools and guidance to improve and enhance home improvement services across the country.

The aim? To create a whole-systems approach that connects housing, health, and care systems, ultimately supporting residents to live in safer, healthier homes.

A whole-system approach to home improvement

The project - A whole-system approach to inclusive home improvement services - provides a suite of practical tools to help local authorities strengthen their home improvement services.

The resources are free to access and can be used individually or together. Collectively, they support a whole-systems approach that connects housing with health, prevention and lived experience.

This builds on the Centre for Ageing Better’s wider work to improve the quality of homes so people can live safely and independently for longer. While much of their work to date has focused on homeowners, many of the same barriers affect private landlords and tenants too.

For example, people often struggle to find reliable contractors, may not fully appreciate the link between poor housing and poor health, or may not know where to go for trusted advice about improvements. These challenges can affect landlords trying to maintain properties just as much as other homeowners.

Tools to support local authorities

The toolkit developed through the project is designed to help local authorities respond to these challenges in practical ways.

Some tools help councils better understand the experience of residents navigating services, ensuring that support is designed around real needs. Others focus on service planning and commissioning, helping authorities build inclusive services that work for all their residents.

There are also resources designed to strengthen the local evidence base on housing conditions and help landlords and residents recognise potential risks in their homes through simple self-assessment.

Looking forward

Together, these tools can support local authorities as they respond to new regulatory expectations and strengthen their approach to improving housing quality in the private rented sector. They can also help councils promote earlier action – whether through better commissioning of home improvement services, improved engagement with landlords and tenants, or initiatives such as trusted trader schemes.

At a time when the role of local authorities in improving housing quality is expanding, these tools provide a timely opportunity to strengthen the systems that help people live and age well at home.