On Friday 16 January 2026, a fine of £10,250 was issued to the landlord of a one-bedroom property for failing to comply with statutory housing requirements to keep the home safe, healthy, and fit to live in.

The Council were first made aware of damp and other disrepair at the property in May 2025. Following an urgent inspection, a Hazard Awareness Notice was served, advising the landlord to commission a damp survey, identify the underlying cause of the damp, and undertake appropriate remedial works alongside addressing other identified defects.

When the works were not carried out, the Council escalated its action and served a formal Improvement Notice. By law, this notice required the landlord to complete the necessary investigations and property improvements by Thursday 31 July 2025.

Despite the formal notice, the landlord took no meaningful action within the agreed compliance period. Further visits by officers confirmed that the Improvement Notice had not been complied with and the issues remained unresolved.

Following this ongoing neglect, the Housing Standards Team compiled a full case file, including detailed records of inspections, correspondence, and evidence of repeated opportunities offered to the landlord to engage and resolve the issues.

Based on the evidence gathered, the Council determined that formal enforcement action was appropriate and the fine issued to the Warrington-based landlord.

The landlord has now started to address the outstanding works at the property. Close monitoring will continue to ensure the agreed actions are completed in a timely manner.

Since the issues were first brought to the Council’s attention, Housing Officers have worked closely with the tenant, and they continue to provide ongoing support through regular contact and visits to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Westmorland and Furness Council Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to protecting housing tenants and ensuring high standards across the area.

“The Council’s Housing Standards Team always seeks to work informally and collaboratively with landlords to ensure a positive outcome is achieved. However, the service is clear that where there is a lack of meaningful, honest, and timely engagement, the Council will not hesitate to use its enforcement powers and take firm action to ensure that rented homes are safe, healthy, and fit for occupation.

“We would like to thank the team for their thorough and diligent response in this case, which has resulted in the penalising of a landlord who has failed to fulfil their responsibilities.”

Residents who are concerned about the condition of a privately rented property are encouraged to contact the Housing Standards Team by emailing privatehousing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.