Civil penalty up to £7,000 for a category 1 hazard (in force 22 June 2026)

Qualifying residential premises: a dwelling or HMO in England let on an assured tenancy, assured agricultural occupancy or Rent Act regulated tenancy (or supported exempt accommodation), or an HMO where at least one unit is so let, excluding social housing let by a registered provider. Does not apply to the common parts of a building containing flats. Company lets and lodger licences are not relevant tenancies.

Remove category 1 hazards promptly. When a council is required by s.5 to take enforcement action on a category 1 hazard in qualifying premises and considers it would have been reasonably practicable for the responsible person (the person on whom an improvement notice could be served) to remove it, it may, when first taking that action, also impose a financial penalty of up to £7,000. One penalty may cover several category 1 hazards on the same premises.

Deadline

Ongoing

The penalty can be imposed when the council first takes enforcement action.

• Records showing hazards were addressed when reported or identified
• Evidence of why removal was not reasonably practicable, if relevant

Civil penalty

Up to £7,000

Other consequences

In addition to the enforcement action itself (for example an improvement notice). Procedure, appeals and enforcement are set out in Housing Act 2004 Schedule A1.

• Housing Act 2004, s.6A (inserted by Renters' Rights Act 2025, Sch 4 para 6)legislation.gov.uk
• Housing Act 2004, s.2B (qualifying residential premises)legislation.gov.uk
• Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 3) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/638), reg 2legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

Date and scope confirmed: SI 2026/638 (made 16 June 2026) commenced s.6A and Schedule A1 on 22 June 2026 for financial penalties relating to category 1 hazards only. The same section also covers failures to meet 'type 1 requirements' under the future Decent Homes Standard, but that part is not in force because no standard has been made under s.2A.

• Keep the property free of category 1 hazards (HHSRS)In force since 6 April 2006Fine up to £7,000

  Councils assess homes under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and must take enforcement action if they find a category 1 (high risk) hazard, so landlords need to keep homes free of them.

• Comply with a council improvement noticeIn force since 6 April 2006Fine up to £40,000

  If the council serves an improvement notice, you must start and finish the specified works by the dates in the notice; failing to do so is a criminal offence.

• Awaab's Law (fixed timescales for hazards) for private tenanciesProposed, not yet law

  The Renters' Rights Act 2025 contains the power to extend Awaab's Law (legal deadlines to investigate and fix hazards such as damp and mould) to private tenancies, but it is not in force and no start date has been set.

• Decent Homes Standard for privately rented homes from 2035Not yet in force: confirmed, no start dateFine up to £7,000

  The government has confirmed that a new Decent Homes Standard will apply to privately rented homes from 2035, enforced by councils. The standard's regulations have not yet been made.

• Repair the structure, exterior and installations (Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 s.11)In force

  For tenancies under 7 years, the landlord must keep the structure and exterior in repair and keep the water, gas, electricity, sanitation, heating and hot water installations in repair and working order.

• Keep the home fit for human habitationIn force since 20 March 2019

  The home must be fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and throughout it. Tenants can go to court if it is not.

• Give 24 hours' written notice to enter to inspect repairsIn force

  Where the landlord repairing covenant applies, you may enter to view the condition and state of repair only at reasonable times and after giving the occupier 24 hours' written notice.