Councils in England can fine landlords up to £7,000 from 22 June 2026 for serious hazards in privately rented homes, a new power under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 that affects private tenants and landlords.
Key facts
- Who: Private landlords and tenants; councils that enforce housing standards
- From: 22 June 2026 (fines); 23 June 2026 (updated Housing Health and Safety Rating System)
- Source: Crackdown on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in
Councils can now issue a financial penalty of up to £7,000 to a landlord who refuses to fix serious hazards in a privately rented home. The power is in force under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and sits alongside councils' existing enforcement powers.
The fine applies to 21 types of hazard assessed at the most dangerous level, known as Category 1, where councils have a duty to act. These include freezing conditions, faulty electrics, fire hazards, structural issues and unsafe layouts, as well as severe damp and mould. Around 10% of private rented homes are estimated to have at least one hazard classified as serious.
Councils' existing powers include forcing repairs, carrying out emergency works and recovering costs from landlords who fail to act. The new penalty sits alongside them.
The Housing Secretary, Steve Reed, has written to mayors across England urging councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle unsafe housing and protect tenants.
The updated hazard rating system
The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), used to assess health and safety in all types of housing, is being updated for the first time in 20 years. It was last reviewed in 2006. The final framework comes into force on 23 June 2026.
The new version has an updated assessment and scoring process and new descriptive terms. It also combines hazards that are statistically similar in likelihood and harm, so there are 21 hazards instead of 29. The final enforcement guidance, which gives more information on the new financial penalty, will be published on 23 June. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will soon publish illustrated case studies and new baseline indicators for achieving safety against each hazard.
What this means for tenants and landlords
Tenants living with a serious hazard such as severe damp, mould, faulty electrics or fire risks can report it to their council, which now has the power to fine as well as its existing options.
Landlords should be aware that a council can now fine them for failing to fix a Category 1 hazard. This is in addition to the existing powers to force repairs, carry out emergency works and recover costs.
Sources
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: Crackdown on dangerous rented homes as new £7k fines kick in, GOV.UK