Draft private rented sector housing enforcement policy

Proposal

Background

Regulatory Services regulate private rented accommodation to ensure it is safe to live in and free from health and safety hazards. Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) must be licensed and follow extra rules around health and safety.

A private rented sector housing enforcement policy is required to reflect the new powers that have been given to local authorities under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to impose civil penalties of up to £30,000 as an alternative to prosecution and the extension of rent repayment orders.

The overwhelming majority of landlords in Shropshire provide safe, well managed and properly maintained rented accommodation, and the introduction of civil penalties, to include a wider range of offences, will help us tackle the small number of criminal, rogue and irresponsible landlords who knowingly rent out unsafe and substandard accommodation.

We would welcome views on the attached draft policy.