Landlords could be fined twice for same offence warns licensing expert
2 months ago | 1 comments
Council launches consultation with tenants on landlord fines
9:01 AM, 23rd February 2026, 2 months ago
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A council is asking renters to help decide how much it will fine landlords who breach rules under the Renters’ Rights Act.
The law introduces civil penalties of up to £7,000 for breaches and up to £40,000 for more serious offences.
It also hands councils stronger enforcement powers over the private rented sector.
Now Bristol City Council is consulting on exactly how those penalties should be set locally.
Grabbing the opportunity
The Bristol Live website reports Green councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the housing committee, saying: “This council will be grabbing the opportunities it presents with both hands … to bring the biggest benefits that we possibly can to renters.”
National statutory guidance for councils sets out the starting levels for different offence types and lists aggravating and mitigating factors they must consider.
While the council’s draft policy closely follows that guidance, it retains discretion over some starting levels for fines.
These include licence condition offences and electrical safety regulation breaches.
Civil penalty policy required
The council says that a new civil penalty policy is required to allow officers to determine the level of financial penalty for offences.
The draft sets out how discretionary factors would be interpreted and applied case by case.
Tom Gilchrist, the head of service for private housing, gave councillors on the housing policy committee an update on the act.
He said the council has not yet seen landlords exiting the market or a spike in homelessness linked to the abolition of Section 21.
However, he acknowledged that some smaller landlords with one or a handful of properties may struggle with the new compliance landscape.
The public consultation on its draft civil penalty policy runs until March 30 via the council’s website.
Licence checks and rising penalties
Meanwhile, Bristol’s private landlords are being urged to check whether their properties require a licence.
Those without the right licence can face prosecution, an unlimited fine or a Civil Penalty Notice of up to £30,000.
That sum will rise to £40,000 from 1 May following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Tags:
Bristol landlord penalties, civil penalty policy consultation, Landlord Licensing Bristol, PRS enforcement powers, Renters’ Rights Act fines, Section 21 Abolition Impact
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Member Since May 2022 - Comments: 90
12:47 PM, 23rd February 2026, About 2 months ago
Probably a forerunner to the scheme where they will ask landlords how much tenants who cause damage and do not pay rent should be fined…
Oh no…that would be balanced…we can’t have that!!!
What other ridiculous schemes can be brought in?
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 374
1:00 PM, 23rd February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Ray Guselli at 23/02/2026 – 12:47
Would be nice if there was a party who had the guts to introduce such balance.I am sure the way things are going this could be introduced by a party who is likely to win a landslide at the next election.
Member Since March 2024 - Comments: 14
2:55 PM, 23rd February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Ray Guselli at 23/02/2026 – 12:47
Obviously they will be imposing a similar “fine” structure against “tenants”………..won’t they????
The fines are, probably, far worse than any thing for racial or sexual abuse.
What a crazy world.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
5:43 PM, 23rd February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Doug Ellison at 23/02/2026 – 11:04
there were enough to vote for Liebour…..
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 226
2:39 AM, 24th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Worth looking at Finland where civil penalties are a proportion of income so that they have meaning to the offender.
The flat rate penalties without any regard to the turnover or retained funds of a business is a negligent and deliberate harm to an otherwise viable business.
Such harms will reduce housing supply so increase costs and remove investment willingness. The collateral damage from business bankruptcy is not to be underestimated…
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1450 - Articles: 1
10:23 AM, 28th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 23/02/2026 – 09:08
Some councils started bulk buying tents in 2018, lol.
Tent cities here we come
Member Since December 2013 - Comments: 53
3:14 PM, 28th February 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Ray Guselli at 23/02/2026 – 12:47
Perhaps our clever politicians would like to ask criminals what sentence they should have? Or is it too unfair to ask victims what sentence they would recommend?
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 226
12:44 AM, 2nd March 2026, About 2 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Mike at 23/02/2026 – 11:37
As a confession of incompetence it’s weak to hope that the virtue signal mitigates…