Councils now have a duty to enforce the rules, stronger powers to investigate, and keep the penalties they collect.
What changed
- A civil penalty of up to £7,000 for an initial breach.
- Up to £40,000 for serious, persistent or repeated breaches, or criminal prosecution instead.
- Rent repayment orders, made by the tribunal, can require you to repay up to two years' rent, and now cover more offences.
- Breaches include granting a fixed term, ending a tenancy by notice to quit, relying on a ground you could not prove, re-letting during a restricted period, rental bidding, unlawful rent in advance and discrimination.
- Penalties can stack: one failing can bring a fine, a rent repayment order and, once it exists, an ombudsman award.
What it means for you
- A worked example: on a £1,500-a-month let, two years' rent is £36,000. Add two civil penalties of £7,000 and the bill is £50,000 from one tenancy.
- Tenants risk nothing by complaining, so assume problems will be raised.
- Dated records are your best defence: notices served, repairs done, certificates renewed and decisions made.