The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) highlighted new council powers in an article published on 11 June 2026, warning landlords about penalties for serious hazards in rented homes in England.

The £7,000 penalty power came into force on 22 June 2026. Here are the key points landlords and letting agents need to understand.

• Up to £7,000 per Category 1 hazard. These are hazards assessed as presenting the most serious risks to occupants’ health or safety.

• A repair deadline is not guaranteed before penalty action. Councils can impose a penalty where they consider it would have been reasonably practicable for the responsible person to remove the hazard.

• Separate hazards can mean separate penalties. Councils may issue individual penalties or one penalty covering multiple hazards, depending on the circumstances.

• Ignoring an improvement notice can bring further consequences. Failure to comply can attract a civil penalty of up to £40,000.

For example, a small agency managing a property with dangerous exposed wiring and an unsafe staircase could find both problems investigated. If both are assessed as Category 1 hazards, separate maximum penalties for the responsible person could total £14,000, alongside the cost of repairs.

An officer may inspect the property, ask when problems were reported and review inspection records and repair correspondence. Although described as “on-the-spot” fines, the process requires a notice of intent, an opportunity to respond and a final decision.

For a busy agency, this means time diverted into gathering records, answering council enquiries and organising urgent work.

Do not wait for a council inspection. Carry out regular property risk assessments, act promptly on tenant reports and retain dated photographs, repair logs and evidence of completed work.

Book a free 30-minute consultation with Angel Moves. We will look at your property portfolio and current procedures, help identify where your risks may lie and explain the steps you need to take.

We will show you practical steps to reduce the risk of fines and penalties of up to £40,000, housing disrepair claims, claims brought by solicitors working on a no-win, no-fee basis, and Rent Repayment Orders of up to 24 months’ rent where the relevant legal conditions apply. We will explain how better inspections, prompt repairs and clear evidence can help protect you and your business.

We can also arrange a detailed HHSRS Category 1 and Category 2 hazard risk assessment of your property to identify risks you may have overlooked, explain what needs attention and help you prioritise action.

Source: NRLA article by Sally Walmsley, published 11 June 2026. Summary updated to reflect subsequent government guidance.