Cumberland Council supports responsible landlords to meet their legal obligations and provide safe, well managed homes.
We provide advice and guidance on housing standards, tenancy law and property management. Where serious hazards or breaches of legislation are identified, we may use our enforcement powers to protect tenants and improve standards across the private rented sector.
If you are looking for advice as a tenant, see Advice for private sector tenants.
Housing standards and landlord responsibilities
As a landlord, you are responsible for ensuring your property is safe and free from serious health and safety hazards.
We use the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) to assess housing conditions and identify risks to occupants. The HHSRS covers hazards including:
- damp and mould
- excess cold
- fire safety risks
- electrical hazards
- falls
- overcrowding
- poor domestic hygiene conditions
If a serious Category 1 hazard is identified, we have a legal duty to take enforcement action. We may also take action where Category 2 hazards are identified.
Landlords should:
- regularly inspect and maintain their properties
- promptly address reports of damp, mould, leaks and disrepair
- ensure adequate heating, insulation and ventilation are provided
- maintain safe electrical and gas installations
- keep escape routes and fire safety measures in good working order
Renters' Rights Act 2025
Recent changes to tenancy law have introduced stronger protections for tenants and new requirements for landlords.
Key changes include:
- the abolition of Section 21 'no fault' evictions
- the move from fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies to periodic tenancies
- revised grounds for possession where landlords need to regain their property
- stronger protections for tenants who raise concerns about housing conditions
- restrictions on rental bidding and excessive rent paid in advance
- new rules designed to make renting fairer and more secure for both tenants and landlords
Landlords should review their tenancy management practices and keep up to date with government guidance.
Further information is available on GOV.UK:
Safety requirements
Private landlords must meet legal requirements for safety and property standards.
Electrical safety
You must:
- have electrical installations inspected and tested at least every 5 years by a qualified person
- ensure installations meet safety standards
- provide tenants with a copy of the electrical safety report
Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
You must install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in line with regulations.
Read the Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations guidance on GOV.UK
Energy efficiency
Private rented properties must meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
You must:
- have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for each property
- give tenants a copy of the EPC at the start of a tenancy
It is an offence not to provide an EPC.
If you have improved your property, your existing EPC may no longer reflect its energy efficiency.
Further information is available on GOV.UK:
Private sector housing enforcement
We are committed to achieving compliance through advice, guidance and early intervention wherever possible.
Most landlords provide good quality accommodation and respond positively when issues are identified.
Where significant housing hazards, poor property conditions, breaches of housing legislation or failures to comply with statutory notices are identified, we may take formal enforcement action.
This may include:
- improvement notices requiring hazards or defects to be remedied
- prohibition orders restricting the use of all or part of a property
- hazard awareness notices
- emergency remedial action
- emergency prohibition orders where there is an immediate risk to health and safety
- civil penalties for certain housing offences
- prosecution for serious or repeated breaches of housing legislation
- rent repayment order applications and other regulatory action
When deciding what action to take, we will consider:
- the seriousness of the issue
- the risk to occupants
- the landlord's compliance history
- any steps taken to resolve the problem
Enforcement policies
Our approach to enforcement is set out in the following documents:
These documents explain how we exercises our powers, determine appropriate enforcement action.
Contact us
Contact the relevant team if you need advice about housing standards, property conditions or landlord responsibilities.
Allerdale: [email protected]
Carlisle: [email protected]
Copeland: [email protected]