£30k fines for rogue landlords… says Brandon Lewis, Minister for Housing

Good news for good letting agents and landlords! Brandon Lewis, Minister for Housing and Planning, took to facebook and Twitter on Sunday 20th December, to say, “We are determined to crack down on rogue landlords and to ensure a high quality, private rented sector. Good for tenants and good for the majority of excellent landlords.” Oddly, though, the launchpad for this latest package of measures was The Sun newspaper. The Sun reported: “Landlords who let out filthy or unsafe homes will face fines of up to £30,000 under new laws to be unveiled this week. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis will announce the biggest package of measures to drive out rogue property owners and agents Council chiefs will be able to slap a new civil penalty notice on offenders to provide an instant deterrent for criminal operators. Fines will be upped for failing to take action on overcrowding, hazardous conditions, poor sanitation, electrical faults, damp and vermin infestation. Measures to be introduced in the Housing and Planning Bill will go further to ensure landlords and agents who repeatedly break the rules will be banned for at least 12 months. A database of rogue landlords and letting agents will also be available…