Advocacy figures, notably Ben Twomey of Generation Rent, back the move and call for active enforcement so tenants benefit from the new penalties.

Officials urge councils to leverage penalties alongside repairs orders, emergency works, and cost recovery to improve living conditions.

Housing Secretary aims to mobilize councils to use these powers and other tools to tackle unsafe housing and safeguard renters.

Support from housing groups, including Generation Rent and the Renters’ Reform Coalition, emphasizes that fines are a crucial step toward improving rental home quality and holding rogue landlords to account.

Advocacy groups urge councils to act immediately to crack down on landlords profiting from unhealthy homes and to protect tenants reporting issues, especially with section 21 evictions scrapped.

The Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) framework is being updated to improve risk detection and enable faster council action, with the final framework taking effect imminently.

Penalties of up to £7,000 for serious hazards in privately rented homes will start to apply from Monday.

England will empower councils to fine private landlords up to £7,000 for serious hazards in rental homes, including damp, mould, cold, structural issues, fire risks, and faulty electrics.

From Monday, the updated HHSRS framework will help councils identify hazards more quickly and act to safeguard residents across all housing types.

The refreshed HHSRS aims to empower local authorities to act swiftly to address risks and protect tenants as the framework comes into force.

The new enforcement power targets a range of hazards—from damp and mould to structural and electrical problems—to hold landlords to account.

The overall goal is to provide safe, secure homes by activating the new powers and existing enforcement tools.