We have the power to issue a financial penalty for certain housing offences as an alternative to prosecution. 

The civil penalties option can be used for the following offences:

• Failure to comply with an improvement notice
• Offences in relation to HMO licensing
• Offences relating to the contravention of an overcrowding notice
• Failure to comply with the HMO management regulations

This policy gives details of when to prosecute, when to consider a civil penalty and provides guidance on how the fine levels will be set.