Civil penalties are one of the main ways local councils enforce housing standards. They're relevant to you because many of the offences that attract civil penalties are the same offences that entitle you to a rent repayment order.
Common offences that can result in a civil penalty include failing to licence an HMO, failing to comply with an improvement notice, failing to comply with selective licensing requirements, failing to register on the PRS Database, breaching the deposit cap or other Tenant Fees Act requirements, and charging prohibited payments.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 increased the maximum penalties for several offences and introduced new penalty categories for breaches of the new provisions (such as failing to join the Landlord Ombudsman or misusing a possession ground).
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