East London landlord failed to address fire safety concerns of tenants, fined £30,000 by city council

A landlord in east London's Hackney has been slapped with a hefty fine for not addressing fire safety issues in the rented properties, according to reports.

Hackney Council fined the private landlord £30,000 penalty for failing to address fire safety concerns. The move comes after changes in the Renters' Rights Act and the city's new landlord licencing scheme. The council has also formed a team of 50 officers to implement the scheme with a "zero-tolerance approach", the report added.

“Landlords are putting profit before people. Too many renters pay eye-watering sums, only to live in unsafe homes," Zoë Garbett, Mayor of Hackney said.


Garbett added, “This has got to stop. From this month, we’re ramping up our inspections and seeking the biggest fines and strongest possible penalties for the worst private landlords in Hackney. It’s time our justice system was made to work for us."

Garbett said that some landlords are exploting the benefits system under which billions are being transferred to private landlords while renters are left in horrible conditions. “The work starts now to ensure that every resident in Hackney has a right to a safe, decent home; we will not accept anything less," Garbett said.

MyLondon, citing Office of National Statistics (ONS), reported that the average monthly private rent in Hackney rose almost 3.6 per cent to £2,658 in August 2026 from £2,566 a year earlier. The average rent for a one-bedroom was £2,001, a two-bedroom £2,489, and a three-bedroom £2,846, it added.

New Rules of Landlords

The new landlord licensing measures, introduced earlier this year, will allow for Council officers to inspect properties and crack down on the hidden exploitation that exists within the private sector. The Council is also encouraging all private renters to know your rights, and urging all tenants who are facing substandard conditions to come forward and report their landlords.

Earlier the city council passed the Renters Rights Act with sweeping reforms, including a landmark ban on Section 21 notices under which landlords cannot evict renters withou a valid reason such as pending rent, antisocial behaviour, or if they want to sell the property.

Also the act automatically renews tenancy after each rental period. For example if you pay rent every month, your tenancy will renew every month. The act also mandates that the landlords can increase the rent only once in a year; they have to also give a ‘section 13’ notice and 2 months’ notice before the price goes up.

Furthermore, the Renters Rights Act says that the landlord cannot ask for more than one month’s rent in advance nor they can ask for this money until after you’ve signed a tenancy agreement. It prohibits discrimination if renters have kids or they are on benefits. Also note that the when you're looking for a property to rent, you only need to pay the advertised rent. Landlords cannot ask for or accept offers above this.