21 ways your landlord could be fined £7,000 after Renters' Rights Act kicks in

The brand new Renters' Rights Act is now live and with it, increased powers for those who pay a landlord to live in their property.

And that power comes in the form of what is effectively a massive bargaining tool - fail to listen or fix genuine issues in properties and landlords could face a hefty fine of up to £7,000.

The law was passed by the Houses of Parliament earlier this year as a way to strengthen the rights of tenants while also raising the standards across rented properties in the United Kingdom.

This was after research and campaigners found that roughly 10 percent of all rented homes had at least one of seven serious problems that are dangerous for those living inside.

As a result, the £7,000 threat is now very real if landlords don't fix issues relating to mould, freezing conditions (broken central heating), electrical problems, fire hazards, damp, mould, and an unsafe layout within the property.

In general, councils have been given greater rights through something called the 'Housing Health and Safety Rating System' to make it easier to spot risks and protect tenants, with a list of 21 hazards established to find 'serious' problems (the full list is below).

Housing Secretary Steve Reed said: “Renters deserve a safe, secure place to call home and our landmark Renters’ Rights Act gives councils more options to take speedy action against rogue landlords.

“These include the new power to issue a £7,000 penalty to a landlord when there is a hazard like severe damp or mould in a privately rented home; a situation that no family should have to live with.”

A property for rent (Getty Stock Images)

Section 21 abolished

The Renters' Rights Act has officially abolished what are known as section 21 notices.

It means that your private landlord is now unable to ask you to leave the property when you have done nothing to justify being evicted. If there's no reason, you stay put.

Instead, a section 8 notice is now used, where a landlord can request you to leave the property due to a reason such as unpaid rent, wanting to sell the property, or live there themselves. But a final decision sits with the courts.

'No one should live in mould'

Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, said: “Homes are the foundations of our lives, and no renter should have to live alongside mould, dampness and other risks to our health.

“The council being given the power to fine landlords up to £7,000 if they ignore repairs is an essential step towards raising the quality of rented homes.

"For renters to feel the benefit, though, councils must seek out and take action against those landlords who ignore unsafe conditions and profit from misery.”

Landlords have also been told to supply renters with The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May of this year. If they failed to do that, you can now report them and they risk a £7,000 fine.

The Act was passed in to law in 2025, with it only coming in to force this week (22 June) as new regulations were ratified around issuing fines, not just securing rights relating to Section 21 notices.

21 ways to be fined £7,000 - ouch (Getty Stock Images)

21 ways your landlord can be fined £7,000

Damp and mould growth

• Exposure to house dust mites, damp, mould or fungal growths.

Excess cold

• Exposure to low temperatures.

Excess heat

• Exposure to high temperatures.

Asbestos and MMF

• Exposure to asbestos fibres or manufactured mineral fibres.

Indoor Air Pollutants (new amalgamated hazard)

1. Exposure to uncombusted fuel gas.
2. Exposure to chemicals used to treat timber and mould growth
3. Exposure to carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and smoke
4. Exposure to volatile organic compounds.

Lead

• The ingestion of lead.

Radiation

• Exposure to radiation.

Crowding and space

• A lack of adequate space for living and sleeping.

Entry by intruders

• Difficulties in keeping the dwelling or HMO secure against unauthorised entry.

Lighting

• A lack of adequate lighting.

Noise

• Exposure to noise.

Domestic hygiene (new amalgamated hazard)

1. An inadequate provision of facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food.
2. Poor design, layout or construction such that the dwelling or HMO cannot readily be kept clean.
3. Exposure to pests.
4. An inadequate provision for the hygienic storage and disposal of household waste.
5. An inadequate provision of facilities for maintaining good personal hygiene.
6. An inadequate provision of sanitation and drainage.

Water supply

• An inadequate supply of water free from contamination, for drinking and other domestic purposes.

Falls on the level (new amalgamated hazard)

1. Falls associated with toilets, baths, showers or other washing facilities;
2. Falling on any level surface.
3. Falling between surfaces where the change in level is less than 300 millimetres.

Falling on stairs etc

• Falling on stairs, steps or ramps where the change in level is 300 millimetres or more.

Falling between levels

• Falling between levels where the difference in levels is 300 millimetres or more.

Electrical hazards

• Exposure to electricity.

Fire and explosions (new amalgamated hazard)

1. Exposure to uncontrolled fire and associated smoke and fumes.
2. An explosion.

Flames, hot surfaces etc

Contact with

1. controlled fire or flames;
2. hot objects, liquid or vapours.

Collisions, Entrapment and Ergonomics (new amalgamated hazard)

1. Collision with, or entrapment of body parts in, doors, windows or other architectural features.
2. The position, location and operability of amenities, fittings and equipment.

Structural collapse and falling elements

• The collapse of the whole or part of the dwelling, building or HMO.