A local authority is introducing charges for the issuing of Improvement Notices to landlords – and has chosen to announce it now, in the build up to Christmas.

A statement from Brighton’s Labour council says: “We are introducing charges for issuing ‘Improvement Notices’ to landlords who fail to carry out work to make sure private rented homes meet required standards. The measure is being taken as part of our work to improve privately rented homes in the city.

“The new charges will be introduced from January 2 2024 for issuing improvement notices and other notices under the Housing Act 2004 and our Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy. The aim is to cover the cost of taking enforcement action, with the charge made to the landlord where a responsible person does not engage with us. 

“The cost will be on a case by case basis, depending on the staff time involved and expenses incurred. We estimate it will be around £500.”

The statement claims that while many landlords run their properties responsibly, issues reported to the council suggest the standard of private rented homes across the city “is not consistent” – hence the charge for issuing an Improvement Notice.

“If the landlord does not comply with the notice, we will still consider prosecution or a financial penalty, as we do now” says the statement.

Councillor Gill Williams, chair of the housing and new homes committee, says: “We are committed to tackling problems in the city’s private rented homes and taking a stronger approach to landlords who don’t look after their properties or respect their tenants’ rights to enjoy their home.

“We know there are a lot of responsible landlords, but we also hear time and again from residents about other landlords who fail to maintain their properties. Our private sector housing team works with landlords to bring about improvements in rental accommodation.

“Under the Deregulation Act 2015, improvement notices can protect tenants from revenge evictions when they’ve complained about the condition of a property. This is an important focus of our work to make sure private tenants are protected.

“We are introducing charges to cover the costs incurred by the council of enforcing improvements in this way.”

The exact charge – which could exceed £500 if the council sees fit – varies according to the inspection time including travel time, the “evaluation of inspection, preparation of defects schedule and specification” and the “administration costs in typing, serving and recording of notices.”

And the council says this will be based on “our hourly chargable rates.”