Hazard warning for landlords under new council powers

Councils in England will be able to fine landlords up to £7,000 if they fail to fix serious hazards in rented homes. 

The new powers, which come into force today (22nd June), are aimed at tackling dangerous conditions such as damp and mould, unsafe electrics, fire hazards, structural problems and freezing conditions.

According to the government, around 10% of private rented homes have at least one health and safety issue. 

The fines come as part of wider council powers – they can already order repairs, carry out emergency work and recover costs from landlords who fail to act. 

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has written to mayors across England, urging them to use their powers to improve housing conditions. He said: ‘Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rouge landlords.

‘These include the new power to issue a £7,000 penalty to a landlord when there is a hazard like severe damp or mould in a privately rented home – a situation that no family should have to live with.’

Alongside the fines, the government is also updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), to make it quicker for councils to identify dangerous homes. The new system is due to come into force on Tuesday (23 June).

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said: ‘Homes are the foundations of our lives, and no renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.

‘The council being given the power to fine landlords up to £7000 if they ignore repairs is an essential step towards raising the quality of rented homes.’

Clara Collingwood, director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition has also welcomed the news. She added: ‘Home is where you should feel safest, but for far too long hundreds of thousands of renters have been living in substandard homes that undermine our health and cause serious harm to children and vulnerable adults. 

‘It’s great that authorities have new powers to tackle this, and they must start using them immediately to crack down on landlords who profit from unhealthy homes.’

Image: Jonathan Borba/UnSplash 

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