Statutory guidance

Civil penalties under the Housing and Planning Act 2016

Statutory guidance for local housing authorities on civil penalties.

From:
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (2018 to 2021)
Published
6 April 2017
Last updated
1 May 2026 — See all updates

Applies to England

Documents

Civil penalties under the Housing and Planning Act 2016

Ref: ISBN 978-1-4098-5229-2

PDF, 458 KB, 20 pages

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Details

This guidance for local authorities covers how they can use their powers to impose a civil penalty as an alternative to prosecution for certain housing offences.

This guidance only applies to offences under the Housing Act 2004 and Housing and Planning Act 2016 committed before 1 May 2026.  For offences committed on or after 1 May, read the Civil penalties under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 guidance.

Updates to this page

Published 6 April 2017
Last updated 1 May 2026 + show all updates

  1. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces changes to civil penalties. This guidance is for offences committed before 1 May 2026.

  2. The guidance has been updated to reflect that from 6 April 2018 a civil penalty can also be imposed for breach of a banning order.

  3. First published.

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