Letting agents and landlords in the North of England face a crackdown from the newly formed York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The new unitary authority, which will see North Yorkshire Council and the City of York Council work together across many areas, says it will have a “renewed focus” on the private rented sector.

And it warns it won’t hesitate to fine landlords and agents if rentals are not safe and habitable.

“The creation of the new unitary council has opened up the possibility of creating one enforcement policy,” it said in a statement.

£30,000 fines

“The new approach means that there will be a new consistent way of dealing with complaints, and strengthens powers to proactively tackle substandard housing.

“It also could mean fines of up to £30,000 for non-compliant landlords, letting agents and property managers.”

The private rented sector represents 18.6% of all homes in Yorkshire – in 2021 that equated to 51,149 homes, 8,000 more than in 2011. Of those properties 34% were built pre-1900 and 52% were built before 1929.

housing standards

The authority’s executive member for housing, Councillor Simons Myers, said: “We have the opportunity to deliver a renewed focus on housing standards within the private sector as we work towards a more preventative service.

“A new policy will give us a balanced approach to housing enforcement work and ensure that privately rented homes are well managed, properly maintained, safe and habitable.

“It also gives us the ability to fine landlords, letting agents and property managers and use any income generated to further improve the service.”

North Yorkshire Council was formed in 2023 from the merger of the former county council and seven district and borough authorities.

The council provides services across North Yorkshire including Harrogate, Ripon, Scarborough, Whitby, Northallerton, Thirsk, Selby, Tadcaster, Malton, Pickering, Richmond and Skipton.