Issue - meetings

To consider the Council’s revised Civil Penalty Policy which sets out the approach to determining the level of a civil penalty in all cases where regulatory breaches or offences are established under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and other legislation relating to private rented sector housing standards.

Cabinet received a report requesting consideration of the Council’s revised Civil Penalty Policy which set out the approach to determining the level of a civil penalty in all cases where regulatory breaches or offences were established under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and other legislation relating to private rented sector housing standards.

Members were advised that the policy supported a robust approach to enforcement action where landlords failed to comply with their legal obligations to their tenants.  It was noted that income recovered from paid civil penalties would continue to be ring-fenced for private sector housing enforcement work.

The Portfolio Holder informed Cabinet that the General Purposes Committee had considered the Policy at its meeting on 14th April 2026 and no additional points or suggestions were made.

A Member expressed thanks to the Licensing Team for their work, to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Renters’Reform/ Renters’ Rights legislation.

It was RESOLVED:

1.     That the Civil Penalty Policy, attached as Appendix A to the report be approved.

2.     That the Policy be recommended to Council for adoption.

Cabinet received a report requesting consideration of the Council’s revised Civil Penalty Policy which set out the approach to determining the level of a civil penalty in all cases where regulatory breaches or offences were established under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and other legislation relating to private rented sector housing standards.

Members were advised that the policy supported a robust approach to enforcement action where landlords failed to comply with their legal obligations to their tenants.  It was noted that income recovered from paid civil penalties would continue to be ring-fenced for private sector housing enforcement work.

Members were advised that a public consultation exercise had not been conducted due to the policy revisions being largely determined by the relevant legislation and statutory guidance. Consultation had been carried out internally within the Environmental Health and Licensing service; no changes to the policy were required.   The Portfolio Holder informed Cabinet that the General Purposes Committee had considered the Policy at its meeting on 14th April 2026 and no additional points or suggestions were made.

A Member expressed thanks to the Licensing Team for their work, to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Renters’Reform/ Renters’ Rights legislation.

It was RESOLVED:

1.     That the Civil Penalty Policy, attached as Appendix A to the report be approved.

2.     That the Policy be recommended to Council for adoption.