Council unveils plan to crack down on criminal landlords with new civil penalties policy

Council unveils plan to crack down on criminal landlords with new civil penalties policy

0:02 AM, 18th October 2023, About 6 months ago 3

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A council wants to hear from tenants and private rented sector (PRS) landlords as it prepares to adopt a new policy that will impose stricter penalties on those who rent out unsafe and substandard homes.

Harlow Council’s cabinet agreed last week to launch a four-week public consultation on its PRS Housing Enforcement Policy.

The policy will replace the current one, which was adopted 20 years ago and is outdated.

The new policy will outline how the council will use its powers to improve the conditions of private rented homes and enforce compliance with the latest legislation.

Precursor to selective or additional licensing schemes

While many landlords will be forgiven for thinking that the consultation is a precursor to selective or additional licensing schemes, the council makes clear these schemes ‘are not appropriate’ for Harlow.

However, in the supporting documentation, the council states that the ‘matter will be kept under review’.

Instead of licensing, the council says it will introduce civil penalties as an alternative to prosecution for specific offences under the Housing Act 2004.

The new policy will also detail the council’s proposed penalties for offences under the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide (England) Regulations.

The website also states that the new policy will ‘provide transparency for owners, landlords, agents and tenants’ in the PRS and social housing properties.

But it will not place any extra obligations on landlords who are complying with current legislation.

‘Improve the conditions of the homes’

The cabinet portfolio holder for environment and sustainability, Coun Nicola Purse, said: “We are working hard to fix council housing by improving the standards of our own homes, but we also want to do more to improve the conditions of the homes we are not responsible for.

“Nearly a quarter of homes in Harlow are from the private rented sector.

“We want to support the good landlords who play by the rules and provide decent, well-maintained homes.”

She added: “However, we will act with full force against those rogue landlords, letting agents and property managers who knowingly rent out unsafe and substandard accommodation.

“This proposed policy will allow us to take a harder line and impose stricter penalties, so our residents who privately rent don’t have to accept living in poor quality homes.”

Policy will set out the maximum levels of fines

The new policy will set out the maximum levels of fines that the council can issue for breaches that affect the health and safety of tenants.

These include fines of up to £30,000 for failing to meet electrical safety standards or leaving properties with damp and mould issues.

The council is encouraging tenants, landlords and associated organisations to take part in the consultation and share their views.

The consultation is on the council’s website and will run until 10 November 2023.


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Comments

Mick Roberts

10:22 AM, 18th October 2023, About 6 months ago

Stopping Income Tax will be welcomed by 30 million people. They'd all be worse off in a year.
Renters jumped for joy when Selective Licensing was introduced. The smart educated renters now know it has increased their rents & stopped the Benefit tenants ever moving again.

It will most definitely not reduce homelessness. It will increase it. And will increase rents for more ever increasing new build standards.

£30,000 for an electrical standard failure. That should increase supply & reduce rents shouldn't it. Tenants celebrate for this please if you think this will hep you get a house.

Councils & Govt seem to like this £30,000 figure. Why not the same for a Parking ticket too.

Anyone wish to copy my words for the consultation, please do.

Reluctant Landlord

11:33 AM, 18th October 2023, About 6 months ago

This is a non article. The council are saying they will now carry out enforcement with the powers they already have.

Go on then!

Reluctant Landlord

11:35 AM, 18th October 2023, About 6 months ago

Perhaps every LL should reply to this consultation. From what I can see so far it is not specific to LL's in this area in particular!!!

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