Member

Amendment 218 in the name of the noble Baroness, Lady Thornhill, would make failure by a relevant private landlord to register with a redress scheme an immediate criminal offence rather than, as is currently the case, a civil breach in the first instance. Across the provisions in the Bill, we are taking a clear, proportionate and escalating approach to penalties against those who flout the rules. For initial or less serious non-compliance, local authorities can impose a civil penalty of up to £7,000. For serious or repeat non-compliance, local authorities can prosecute or alternatively issue a civil penalty of up to £40,000. I think it is right that a first failure by a landlord to register with a redress scheme, which may not be done with malicious intent, is dealt with proportionately and not as a criminal offence. If a landlord continues to fail to register 28 days after receiving a first penalty, it then becomes a criminal offence.