Decision details

The current penalty amounts are out of date and to maintain their relevant and deterrent effect need to be updated.

The Council has a number of policies determining the level of a civil penalty when the policies were first agreed which have not been increased since. These are enforced by the Private Housing Service.
This decision increases the penalties, so they maintain their deterrent effect. None of the penalties will exceed the relevant statutory maximum penalties. The penalties have been increased by the rate of inflation since they were first agreed (unless as stated). The inflation calculator uses the Consumer Price Index (CPI) as this is the measure used by the Government.

Option 1 - Not updating – the penalty levels set become a lesser a deterrent for landlords and agents who do not comply with legal standards. This would undermine the Council’s role as a regulator and increases the risk to tenants in the Private Rented Sector.