Bath & North East Somerset council has implemented significant increases in charges for landlords who fail to meet required standards for their private rented homes. The fee for serving a formal Improvement Notice, aimed at addressing health and safety hazards in rental properties, has been raised by a substantial 60%, from £250 to £400.
Improvement Notices are typically issued by the council’s Housing Services team to address various issues in houses or flats, such as property defects, inadequate heating and insulation, defective fire precautions, or severe damp and mold. The council aims to ensure that landlords maintain a consistent standard of living conditions for tenants.
Councillor Matt McCabe, the cabinet member for Built Environment and Sustainable Development, highlighted that while the majority of landlords are responsible, there is inconsistency in the standard of rented homes across the region. The council’s Housing Services Team is actively working to ensure that landlords fulfill their responsibilities and provide safe and secure homes for renters.
The fee adjustments are in line with government guidance, aiming to recover reasonable costs, including those associated with enforcement actions if necessary, as well as covering staff time and expenses incurred during the process.
In addition to the increased Improvement Notice fee, other charges have been raised as well. The fee for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) license has gone up from £795 to £995. Furthermore, certain fees charged to Registered Providers for the marketing and delivery of affordable homes have also been increased. These changes suggest a broader effort by the council to encourage higher standards in the rental market and ensure the well-being of tenants.
