Private Sector Housing Civil Penalty Policy

6.1 In determining the level of a civil penalty, officers will have regard to the following matrix, which is to be read in conjunction with the associated guidance. The matrix is intended to provide indicative 'starting level' under the various offence categories, with the final level of the civil penalty adjusted in each case, taking into account aggravating and mitigating factors the Council deems significant including, but not limited to, factors relating to the track record and culpability of the landlord and the actual or potential harm to the occupants.

6.2 In deciding what level of penalty to impose, officers will conduct the following four stage process. First, they will consider the seriousness of the relevant housing offence to identify a starting level of the penalty. Second, an assessment of the number of rental properties controlled or owned or managed by the landlord and or their experience in the letting and management of property will be considered, which may have the effect of increasing or decreasing the penalty. Third, aggravating and mitigating factors that may relate to a number of factors including, but not limited to, culpability, track record and harm will be considered, which may have the effect of increasing or decreasing the penalty. Fourth, if any of the discounts, as set out, apply, the penalty will be decreased.

6.3 Once the seriousness of the relevant housing offence has been identified, the starting level of the penalty will be identified using the table below with the headings 'Seriousness of offence' and 'Starting level [£]'. Consideration of the number and type of rental properties controlled or owned or managed may adjust the penalty.

6.4 To reflect the seriousness of the offence(s) in question, the presence of one or more mitigating factors will rarely result in the penalty being decreased in excess of a total of £5,000. In exceptional circumstances, officers may determine that the presence of one or more mitigating factors justify a decrease in the penalty in excess of £5,000. The presence of numerous mitigating factors will not automatically be considered as exceptional circumstances.

6.5 The Council has not provided a list of mitigating factors in this policy because it acknowledges that there are myriad possible circumstances that might give rise to mitigation.

6.6 To ensure that any penalty imposed is proportionate to the offending behaviour the presence of one or more aggravating factors will rarely result in the penalty being increased in excess of a total of £5,000. In exceptional circumstances, officers may determine that the presence of one or more aggravating factors justify a increase in the penalty in excess of £5,000. The presence of numerous aggravating factors will not automatically be considered as exceptional circumstances.

6.7 The Council may, exceptionally, including for the reason given above, increase the penalty by greater than £5,000 on account of aggravating factors or, again exceptionally, decrease it by greater than £5,000 on account of mitigating factors. In order to meet the objectives of this policy, including the need for transparency and consistency in the use of such penalties, the Council will exercise its discretion to increase or decrease a penalty by greater than £5,000 on account of aggravating or mitigating factors in exceptional circumstances only excluding any discounts as set out. The Council will consider on a case-by-case basis whether any such circumstances exist.