Exclusive:Rogue landlords in Sheffield being 'let off the hook' as three quarters of fines go unpaid
A trade body is calling for action on collecting fines imposed on rogue landlords
Rogue landlords in Sheffield are being “let off the hook” as new data shows the city council has collected less than a quarter of fines in the last two years.
The National Residential Landlords Association says in the last two years 86 penalties have been levied worth £667,343 but only £164,037 has been collected.
They say that means less than a quarter (24.6 per cent) of all civil penalties levied on landlords were collected.
The NRLA says the data was from Sheffield City Council in response to Freedom of Information questions.
In a response to The Star, the authority said 86 civil penalties were issued to private landlords – of which 52.3 per cent has already been collected, “significantly higher than the figures cited.”
It did not supply financial amounts.
The data covers the years 2023/24 and 2024/25 and covers an array of housing offences connected to the private rented sector.
In 2024, Sheffield landlord Gunes - ‘Gary’ - Ata was fined £97,000 under the Housing Act in connection with St Mary’s House student flats on London Road, Sheffield.
He was initially hit with 24 financial penalties for 145 breaches of regulations, totalling £158,660, by Sheffield City Council. The amount was reduced on appeal.
A city council spokesperson said Mr Ata was still paying it off.
He has agreed a monthly payment plan and was meeting his payment deadlines, they added.
Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “For too long a minority of rogue and criminal operators have been allowed to act with impunity, bringing the sector into disrepute.
“It is galling then to see that those breaking the law are still failing to pay the price – leaving good landlords to pick up the tab in licensing fees.
“This also raises serious questions about how ready councils across the region are to enforce the Renters’ Rights Act, and about the adequacy of the upfront funding provided to them to support enforcement action.”
The NRLA wants a “major increase” in funding for council enforcement teams.
It says rogue landlords leave tenants exposed to poor practice and undermines the reputation of the vast majority of landlords who meet their responsibilities and provide good quality homes.
The Renters’ Rights Act, due to come into force on May 1, is the biggest overhaul of the private rented sector in a generation.
It aims to give renters more security and includes a ban on "no fault evictions" and limits to rent increases.
The act will increase the maximum amount that can be levied in civil penalties from £7,000 to £40,000.
If a person commits more than one offence or breach, local authorities may impose a civil penalty for each.
Sheffield City Council said it was “committed to tackling poor standards in the private rented sector.”
Fine collection figures could be affected by appeals, or by landlords falling behind on payment plans.
A spokesperson said: “Where landlords do fail to pay, Sheffield City Council pursues recovery through a range of measures including court orders, adding interest, use of High Court Enforcement Officers, and securing debts through Charging Orders.
“The council keeps enforcement capacity under regular review to ensure it can respond effectively to issues in the sector.
“With the Renters’ Rights Act due come into force on 1st May, 2026, the council is monitoring developments closely and working with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure it is prepared to implement any new responsibilities placed on local authorities.”
According to the English Housing Survey for 2024/25, some 16.7 per cent of households in Yorkshire and the Humber are in the private rented sector.