Sir Keir Starmer’s swansong in government may be another attack on private landlords – higher fines from today.
From today councils can issue fines of up to £7,000 if landlords fail to fix what the government calls “poor conditions.”
Fines will apply to 21 types of hazards that are found to be serious – the most dangerous level – which include freezing conditions, faulty electrics, fire hazards, structural issues and unsafe layouts.
Around 10% of private rented homes are estimated to have at least one of these health and safety problems classified as serious.
The new penalty sits alongside existing powers councils can use to tackle unsafe homes that put tenants at risk.
These include forcing repairs, carrying out emergency works and recovering costs from landlords who fail to act.
Today (Monday June 22) the Housing Secretary has written to mayors across England urging councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle unsafe housing and protect tenants.
Housing Secretary Steve Reed – a close ally of beleaguered Prime Minister Starmer- says: “Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rogue 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 new fines, this government is updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) for the first time in 20 years.
“This important system is used to assess health and safety in all types of housing, making it simpler to identify dangerous risks and take action.”
The final framework comes into force tomorrow and the government claims it will support quicker enforcement, helping to ensure hazards such as damp, fire risks and unsafe electrics are addressed more effectively.
A government statement on the issue released overnight quotes Ben Twomey, the outgoing chief executive of Generation Rent.
He says: “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.
“For renters to feel the benefit, though, councils must seek out and take action against those landlords who ignore unsafe conditions and profit from misery.”
The final Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) will come into force on Tuesday June 23.
