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
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, local authorities may issue:
- up to £7,000 for a breach – lower‑level non‑compliance where prosecution is not available
- up to £40,000 for an offence – more serious wrongdoing where the council may choose to prosecute or impose a civil penalty
- other aggravating or mitigating circumstances
The level of penalty depends on:
- seriousness of harm
- the landlord’s level of responsibility
- history of non-compliance
- 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
Prosecution is used for offences where criminal action is appropriate.
Local authorities may prosecute instead of issuing a civil penalty for offences covered in the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and other housing legislation.
4. Banning orders
Issued to landlords who commit serious offences or repeatedly break housing law.
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 (HHRS).
- Prohibition orders – prevent people from living in unsafe properties.
- Emergency remedial action – council may carry out urgent repairs and recover the costs.
- Simple cautions – used for minor offences where prosecution is not appropriate.
