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Authorities neglected to pursue collections on £7 million in unpaid penalties from landlords

In 2021 and 2023, councils in England slapped £13 million in penalties on unscrupulous landlords, but managed to recover only £6 million as per data from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA). These authorities possess the authority to issue penalties totaling up to £30,000...

Landlords evade paying £7 million in overdue fines, as local authorities struggle to enforce...
Landlords evade paying £7 million in overdue fines, as local authorities struggle to enforce penalties

Authorities neglected to pursue collections on £7 million in unpaid penalties from landlords

In the realm of private rented housing, local authorities in England have faced challenges in collecting civil penalties from rogue landlords. This issue stems from resource constraints and enforcement challenges, as penalties can be issued under various housing and landlord licensing regulations designed to improve standards in the sector.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), an organisation that typically advocates for fair and practical regulation of landlords, has expressed concerns about this situation. The NRLA calls for a more proactive approach to addressing the issue of rogue and criminal landlords, including the creation of a national chief environmental health officer to improve enforcement and collaboration between the Government and councils.

According to the NRLA, almost half of local authorities have not issued any civil penalties between 2021 and 2023. This lack of action raises questions about councils' ability to use their existing powers effectively. The NRLA's concerns are further emphasised by the fact that 69% of local authorities have issued five or fewer civil penalties during the same period.

Offenses that fall under the purview of these penalties include not having an up-to-date gas safety certificate, electrical safety breaches, not protecting deposits, and breaching the right-to-rent rules. The NRLA believes that without improved enforcement, protections for tenants in the Renters Reform Bill might prove meaningless.

The Renters Reform Bill, currently in Parliament, could offer new tools to address the issue of rogue landlords, but concerns have been raised about councils' ability to effectively use their current powers. If passed, the Bill could introduce new offenses that can be finable.

The NRLA's calls for action are not new. They have consistently advocated for a more collaborative approach between the Government and councils to tackle the issue of rogue landlords more effectively. They believe that it's crucial for the Government and councils to collaborate to enhance the capacity of enforcement teams to effectively utilise their existing powers against poor-quality housing.

The concerns raised by the NRLA's Chair, Beadle, highlight the ongoing issues with the effectiveness of councils in enforcing regulations against rogue landlords. As of now, the collected amount from civil penalties stands at £6m. However, the actual collection and enforcement of these penalties have been inconsistent.

For more precise details on recent data or official statements from local authorities or the NRLA regarding civil penalty enforcement between 2021 and 2023, direct sources such as government reports, local council publications, or official NRLA communications would need to be consulted.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) advocates for a more proactive approach in addressing rogue and criminal landlords, suggesting the creation of a national chief environmental health officer to improve enforcement and collaboration between the Government and councils. This is in response to concerns about the lack of action from councils, as almost half of them have not issued any civil penalties between 2021 and 2023, with 69% issuing five or fewer penalties during the same period.

In the current landscape of housing finance and business, the collection of civil penalties from rogue landlords remains a challenge due to the inconsistent enforcement by councils, which could limit the effectiveness of protections for tenants under the Renters Reform Bill.

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