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<p>The Housing Act 2004 gives powers to local authorities to regulate and enforce
standards in the private rented sector. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 further
introduced civil penalties of up to £30,000 and banning orders for use against the
worst and most persistent offenders. Legislation also extended rent repayment orders
which require a landlord to repay rent when they have not complied with the law.</p><p>We
have also given local authorities strong powers to undertake urgent repairs where
they identify health and safety hazards or poor conditions. If landlords do not comply,
or if the risk is high enough, local authorities can carry out the remedial works
themselves and recover the costs.</p><p>Enforcement action to ensure a property is
safe for a tenant to live in can be taken when the landlord resides overseas. For
example, absent landlords, including those overseas, may be subject to prosecutions
and Banning Orders.</p>
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