Bristol Council wants to charge errant landlords an extra 10% on top of civil penalties to factor in the city’s high rents.

The authority is consulting on penalty amounts for private housing related offences and breaches under the Renters’ Rights Act - and wants landlords' views.

The starting amount for civil penalties set out in national guidance applies across England but the government says councils can “apply a general adjustment to penalty amounts as a proportionate deterrent”.

ONS data shows the average rents in Bristol were 29% higher, the council explains: “As a deterrent to reflect above average rents in Bristol, we propose that the penalty amount will be uplifted by 10%.”

Multiple

However, it suggests that when multiple civil penalties are issued against the same offender at the same time, if the total amount is not assessed as fair and proportionate, “all penalties will be reduced proportionately by 25% to achieve a just and reasonable outcome”.

It adds: “Where there is sufficiently reliable evidence of rental income from and/or asset value of the offender’s housing business, the council may decide to increase the amount of the penalty to ensure the penalty is an effective deterrent to future non-compliance.”

It also proposes that a 33% reduction will be applied to penalties where payment is made within 28 days of the date on the final notice.

Explains

The Act explains that as part of their new civil penalty policy, councils can charge up to £7,000 for breaches and £40,000 for offences. Government guidance sets out national starting levels as well as factors councils should consider when deciding on penalty levels.

In its consultation, Bristol suggests that landlords who fail to comply with HMO fire standards relating to fire alarms and fire doors would get a £20,000 fine, while if landlords receive a civil penalty, prosecution or simple caution in the 12 months prior to a breach or offence, there would be a 20% increase in penalty.

Bristol is asking landlords, as well as tenants and agents for their views until 30th March.

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