Civil penalties (landlords)
Overview
The Council can issue fines to landlords, instead of prosecuting, for certain offences around:
- licensing
- overcrowding
- management of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).
These fines are known as 'civil penalties'.
Fines are between £600 and £30,000.
The amount fined depends on various factors, including the severity of the offence.
If you don't pay within the given time period, the Council will contact the County Court to recover the money.
Evidence
The proof needed to impose a penalty is the same that is needed for a criminal prosecution.
The evidence should show beyond reasonable doubt that an offence has been committed.
A penalty cannot be imposed if
- there has already been a conviction, or
- a prosecution is pending for the same offence
There cannot be a conviction if
- a civil penalty has been issued