Calderdale Council is preparing to use new enforcement powers under the Renters’ Rights Act to issue civil penalties against landlords who fail to keep homes safe.
The Labour-controlled West Yorkshire authority – which has some 18,000 privately rented homes – is proposing to introduce Civil Penalty Notices for housing offences including unsafe conditions, hazards that could harm tenants, and illegal evictions.
How the penalties will work
The fines would be calculated based on how serious the problem is and the extent to which the landlord is responsible for the hazard. Each hazard identified can receive its own separate penalty.
A council spokesperson says: “Everybody has a right to live in a safe, secure and comfortable home, and we take our responsibilities around housing enforcement very seriously.”
“Legislation to allow us to issue penalty notices would strengthen our enforcement powers and see us getting tough on poor landlords or letting agents.”
The council adds: “The introduction of these penalty notices would allow the council to act quickly without having to go through lengthy court processes.”
This follows Residential Landlord’s recent coverage of Brent Council’s £92,000 fine against an HMO landlord for overcrowding and safety breaches. Councils across England are increasingly using civil penalty powers to bypass slow court processes.
The spokesperson emphasises that the measures target non-compliant operators: “We know that most private landlords in Calderdale treat their tenants fairly, but when we receive reports of unacceptable standards, or unsafe conditions, we are committed to taking swift and strong action.
“Not only would this protect residents, but would also support responsible landlords.”
Wider enforcement trend
Calderdale joins a growing list of councils signalling tougher enforcement ahead of the full implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act. Civil penalties can reach up to £30,000 per offence, making them a powerful deterrent.
However, government guidance shows that many councils struggle to collect the fines they issue – a concern for landlord groups who argue that the burden falls hardest on compliant operators while persistent rogues avoid payment.
Opinion
Councils ramping up enforcement is the direction of travel – and compliant landlords should welcome it. The sector has long argued that rogue operators undercut those who invest in safety and maintenance. Whether councils can actually collect the fines they issue remains the weak link. If Calderdale wants this policy to work, it will need to resource the follow-through, not just the headlines.
