Landlords in England who fail to fix dangerous problems in rented homes and apartments, including damp, mould and faulty power systems, now face fines of up to £7,000 under new government regulations.

From Monday, 22 June, the Renters’ Rights Act gives councils stronger powers to act against landlords who refuse to carry out necessary repairs in private homes.

The penalty applies to 21 serious housing hazards, including severe damp and mould, freezing conditions, faulty electrical systems, fire risks, structural problems, and unsafe housing layouts. 

The government estimates that around 10% of private rented homes contain at least one of these serious hazards.

According to the government, the new penalty is designed to speed up repairs and improve living conditions for tenants, especially in homes where landlords delay or ignore safety concerns.

Alongside the fines, the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) is being updated for the first time in 20 years to make it easier to identify risks such as damp, fire hazards, and unsafe electrical systems. The updated system is expected to support faster enforcement and improve response times.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home, and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rogue landlords.

“These include the new power to issue a £7,000 penalty to a landlord when there is a hazard like severe damp or mould in a privately rented home, a situation that no family should have to live with.”

The government also said councils already have powers to force repairs, carry out emergency works, and recover costs from landlords who fail to comply.

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said, “Homes are the foundations of our lives, and no renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.

“The council being given the power to fine landlords up to £7000 if they ignore repairs is an essential step towards raising the quality of rented homes.”

Clara Collingwood, director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, also welcomed the move.

She said, “Home is where you should feel safest, but for far too long, hundreds of thousands of renters have been living in substandard homes that undermine our health and cause serious harm to children and vulnerable adults.

“It’s great that authorities have new powers to tackle this, and they must start using them immediately to crack down on landlords who profit from unhealthy homes.”