From today, councils across England will gain the power to issue hefty penalties for serious hazards in private renters' homes.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed has written to mayors, urging councils to utilise these new powers to tackle unsafe housing

From today, councils across England will gain the power to issue hefty penalties for serious hazards in private renters' homes.

From today, councils across England will gain the power to issue hefty penalties for serious hazards in private renters' homes.

The penalty will apply to issues such as damp, mould, freezing conditions, faulty electrics, fire hazards, structural issues and unsafe layouts