HHSRS: Property inspections up - yet fines go uncollected
Fines issued to rogue and criminal landlords are continuing to go uncollected – despite councils carrying out increasing numbers of property inspections.
Local authorities carry out inspections under the Housing, Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS), which is used to assess risks rented housing.
Our latest data, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, shows that between 2021 and 2023 a total of 885,326 HHSRS inspections were carried out – a figure which rose to 91,620 in the same period from 2023-2025.
However, despite the 7% increase we know, from data we uncovered earlier this year, that just a quarter of the fines were actually paid.
The figures showed of almost £30 million in fines levied for health and safety breaches between 2023 and 2025, only a quarter, worth almost £7.5 million, were collected by the 262 councils across England that responded to our request.
Good landlords picking up the bill
We are arguing it is compliant landlords that are picking up the tab for increased enforcement, via licensing charges and other fees; enforcement work we believe should be self-funded by fines paid by those breaking the rules.
And with the cross-party Housing Select Committee warning the Government needs to do more to hold councils to account when it comes to tackling the rogues, we continue to call on all local authorities to publish annual reports on enforcement activity in the private rented sector - a proposal that was backed by the select committee in a recent report.
Landlords let down by a failing system
Our chief executive Ben Beadle said: “Whilst an increase in property inspections suggests more proactive enforcement, councils are failing to collect the money they should from those flouting their obligations.
“Under a system in which the polluter should be paying, it is those responsible landlords being clobbered with licensing and other fees who are having to cover the costs of rooting out the rogue and criminal minority.
“This is not sustainable and undermines the confidence of those landlords who we want to keep in the market.
“Councils must publish annual reports ensuring transparency about the money they receive from licensing and other such schemes, and how that translates to better enforcement.
“By not taking this step, both tenants and good landlords seeking to do the right thing will continue to be let down by a failing system.”
More information
The HHSRS has recently been revised allowing councils to levy on-the-spot fines on landlords for category one hazards, rising to a maximum of £40,000.
Our award-winning Training Academy runs a Property Standards eLearning course, to bring you up to speed with your obligations when it comes to health and safety, which has been updated to reflect the revised rules. For more information and to book click here.
