New landlord fines of up to £7,000 have been described as ‘pointless’ if they can’t be enforced, it has been claimed.

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) made the claim, saying councils were already failing to effectively tackling criminal landlords.

Ben Beadle, the NRLA’s Chief Executive, (pictured) suggested that increasing fines on landlords  “misses the point”.

He says: “Councils are not using their extensive and existing powers effectively to tackle rogue and criminal landlords.

“If the Government’s plans are to work, councils need the resources to do the job properly.

Uncollected fines

Freedom of Information data obtained by the NRLA reveals that between 2023 and 2025, only a quarter of all fines issued to private landlords were collected by councils.

The NRLA’s warning comes after the Government announced that councils will be able to issue fines of up to £7,000 on landlords.

The fines will be applied where landlords refuse to address poor conditions in rented homes.

Council powers

The Housing Secretary has written to mayors across England urging councils to use all powers at their disposal to tackle unsafe housing and protect tenants.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rogue landlords.

“These include the new power to issue a £7,000 penalty to a landlord when there is a hazard like severe damp or mould in a privately rented home – a situation that no family should have to live with.”

Alongside the new fines, the Government is updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) for the first time in 20 years – which is used to assess health and safety in housing, making it simpler to identify dangerous risks and take action.

The final framework comes into force on Tuesday 23rd June and will support quicker enforcement, helping to ensure hazards such as damp, fire risks and unsafe electrics are addressed more effectively.

No renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.”

Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, says, “Homes are the foundations of our lives, and no renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.

“The council being given the power to fine landlords up to £7000 if they ignore repairs is an essential step towards raising the quality of rented homes. For renters to feel the benefit, though, councils must seek out and take action against those landlords who ignore unsafe conditions and profit from misery.”