Nottingham City Council is looking to improve its enforcement of laws including the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022.
The legislation was introduced to prevent unfair ground rent charges, and breaches of the legislation can now result in civil penalties totalling an eye-watering £30,000.
Trading Standards officers also have more authority to enforce the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the Consumer Rights Act 2015, the Redress Schemes Order 2014 and the Client Money Protection Schemes Regulations 2019.
First offences can result in fines of up to £5,000, rising to £30,000 for repeat breaches within five years.
The existing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) Enforcement Policy, which has run since 2022, will now cover non-domestic premises as well as homes.
Properties will have to display a valid Energy Performance Certificate, while fines under the new framework range from £2,000 to £4,000 for domestic breaches and up to £150,000 for commercial landlords.
Without council officers upholding the law, many breaches go unpunished.