Paragraph 3 amends the power in subsection 4(4) of the Housing Act 2004 to allow regulations to also make provision about the manner of assessing whether qualifying residential premises meet DHS requirements. This aims to ensure that local housing authorities, who are the bodies that will conduct inspections, are clear about how to carry them out and that there is a consistent approach throughout England.
	The power under paragraph 6 allows the Secretary of State to amend fine levels. This aims to ensure that the fines continue to serve as a deterrent and that their level reflects changes to the value of money.
	Paragraph 9 amends the power in section 9 of the Housing Act 2004 to allow statutory guidance for local housing authorities to cover assessment of DHS requirements and financial penalties under Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 2004. This aims to ensure that local authorities will have detailed, practical information on how to discharge their responsibilities.
	Regulations made and guidance issued under the provisions in this Schedule will be subject to the negative procedure.
Schedules Schedule 4: Decent homes standard Part 1: Amendments of Housing Act 2004 Proposed use of power