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Penalties for housing offences
Landlords must meet legal housing standards to ensure tenants live in safe and secure homes. When they don’t, we take action to hold them accountable.
We take action when landlords fail to meet legal housing standards. Our goal is to protect tenants and ensure landlords uphold their responsibilities.
Enforcement can include financial penalties, legal action, or banning orders.
Types of enforcement
1. Civil penalties
Landlords may be fined up to £30,000 per offence, depending on:
- how serious the harm is
- the landlord’s level of responsibility
- any history of non-compliance
- other aggravating or mitigating circumstances
2. Works in default
If urgent repairs are not completed, the council may carry out the work and recover the costs from the landlord.
3. Prosecution
Used for the most serious or repeated breaches of housing law.
4. Banning orders
Issued to landlords who commit serious offences or repeatedly break the rules.
These orders prohibit individuals from:
- renting out properties
- working in letting or property management
- holding licences for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
Breaching a banning order is a criminal offence and may result in:
- unlimited fines
- civil penalties
Offenders may also be listed on the National Rogue Landlord Database, which is shared with other councils.
Additional enforcement tools
- Improvement notices - require landlords to fix health and safety hazards under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
- Prohibition orders - prevent people from living in unsafe properties.
- Emergency remedial action - the council can carry out urgent repairs and recover the costs.
- Simple cautions - used for minor offences where prosecution is not appropriate.
