Rogue landlords in one area of London could face unlimited fines, criminal convictions and bans from letting out properties.

The measures are set out in Hackney council’s new rental strategy agreed this week.

A statement from the authority this week says it “will always work with landlords to resolve issues in the first instance, the policy outlines a range of measures that will be used against those who fail to provide good, well-managed homes to their tenants.”

These include enforcement notices requiring improvements to be made, civil penalties of up to £30,000, Rent Repayment Orders, and Banning Orders preventing the worst culprits from letting out properties. 

A council spokeswoman says: “Despite the challenges caused by the pandemic and the continued lack of support from government, we’ve led the way in creating a better system for renters in Hackney – introducing measures requiring landlords to meet higher standards and taking action against those who fail to provide a good, safe home.

“The new enforcement policy demonstrates our long-term commitment to better renting in Hackney, showing that we’ll use every power we have to raise standards of accommodation and challenge rogue landlords in the borough, while we continue to make the case to the government for the protections that Hackney’s 34,000 private renters deserve.”