We’re committed to making sure rented homes in Norwich are safe, well-managed, and legally compliant. Our approach is proactive, fair, and focused on improving standards - using enforcement only when necessary.
What we respond to
We investigate reports of:
- unsafe or unhealthy living conditions
- unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
- breaches of housing laws and regulations
Our enforcement principles
Our actions are guided by:
We aim to be proportionate, transparent, and targeted in everything we do.
Our step-by-step enforcement process
1 - Informal Action
We start by working with landlords to resolve issues voluntarily - offering advice and support to help them meet legal standards.
Used when:
- the risk to tenants is low
- the landlord is cooperative
2 - Formal Action
If informal efforts don’t work, or if the risks are more serious, we may take legal steps such as:
- issuing improvement notices
- applying civil penalties under the Housing Act 2004 and other laws
3 - Escalation
For serious or repeated non-compliance, we may escalate enforcement through:
- prosecution
- banning orders
- recovering costs
Legal powers we use
We enforce housing standards under several laws, including:
- Housing Act 2004
- Housing and Planning Act 2016
- Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020
- Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Regulations 2015
- Environmental Protection Act 1990
- Protection from Eviction Act 1977
- Building Act 1984
HMO Licensing in Norwich
Norwich operates a Mandatory HMO Licensing Scheme. If landlords fail to comply, they may face:
- civil penalties
- Rent Repayment Orders (RROs)
- licence revocation
- prosecution
Learn more about HMO Licensing
