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<p>All homes should be of a reasonable standard and all tenants should have a safe
place to live. Under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords have an obligation
to ensure that they keep in repair the structure and exterior of any property they
rent out.</p><p>Local authorities have strong powers to deal with poor quality, unsafe
accommodation and we expect them to use those powers. Under the Housing Health and
Safety Rating System, local authorities can issue an Improvement Notice or a Hazard
Awareness Notice if they find a defect in the property. Failure to comply with an
Improvement Notice is a criminal offence for which local authorities can impose a
financial penalty of up to £30,000 or prosecute in the courts which have the power
to impose an unlimited fine. In extreme circumstances, the local authority may decide
to make repairs themselves, or to prohibit that property from being rented out.</p><p>The
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places a duty on housing providers to undertake
a fire risk assessment of the common parts of their properties and to put in place
and maintain adequate fire precautions to manage the risk that lives could be lost
in a fire. The Order is enforced by fire and rescue authorities. Failure to comply
with the provisions of the Fire Safety Order may to lead to prosecution and potentially
a significant fine or custodial sentence.</p>
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