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<p>The Housing Health and Safety Rating System assesses the health and safety risks
in all residential properties. Under the Housing Act 2004, following an Rating System
inspection, if a local authority identifies a serious hazard they can take action,
including issuing an Improvement Notice or a Hazard Awareness Notice. In extreme circumstances,
the local authority may decide to make repairs themselves, or to prohibit that property
from being rented out. Where a landlord fails to comply with a statutory notice, this
is an offence, and they can be prosecuted by the local authority. From October 2015
we introduced protection for tenants from retaliatory eviction, where they have a
legitimate complaint about the condition of the property.</p><p>The Housing and Planning
Bill will strengthen local authorities’ ability and incentives to tackle rogue landlords
by introducing measures including:</p><ul><li>A database of rogue landlords and property
agents convicted of certain offences;</li><li>Banning orders for the most serious
and prolific offenders;</li><li>Civil penalties of up to £30,000 as an alternative
to prosecution;</li><li>Extension of Rent Repayment Orders to cover illegal eviction,
breach of a banning order or failure to comply with a statutory notice;</li><li>A
more stringent fit and proper person test for landlords of licensable properties such
as Houses in Multiple Occupation.</li></ul><p>My Department also recently announced
a further £5 million of funding across 48 local authorities to tackle the worst rogue
landlords in their areas.</p>
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