LANDLORDS in England who fail to fix dangerous problems such as damp and mould now face fines of up to £7,000 under new powers that came into force today.

Councils across England can now issue fines for serious hazards in private rented homes, including severe damp and mould, freezing temperatures, structural issues, fire hazards and faulty electrics.

The penalty sits alongside existing council powers to force repairs, carry out emergency works and recover costs from landlords who do not act.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has written to mayors urging them to use the powers available.

He said the new powers gave councils “more options to take speedy action against rogue landlords.”

The government is also updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, with a final framework coming into force to help councils spot risks and act more quickly.

Generation Rent chief executive Ben Twomey welcomed the powers but said: “For renters to feel the benefit, councils must seek out and take action against those landlords who ignore unsafe conditions and profit from misery.”

Renters Reform Coalition director Clara Collingwood said: “For far too long hundreds of thousands of renters have been living in substandard homes that undermine our health and cause serious harm to children and vulnerable adults.

“It’s great that authorities have new powers to tackle this, and they must start using them immediately to crack down on landlords who profit from unhealthy homes.

“Any tenant living with serious disrepair or damp and mould should know they don’t have to put up with it any longer.”