ROGUE landlords could face fines of up to £30,000 under new measures to crack down on housing offences.

Bolton Council has approved the use of the powers, which allow the local authority to impose a financial penalty on landlords responsible for unsafe living conditions as an alternative to prosecution.

Town hall bosses say that the powers will act as another deterrent for rogue, irresponsible and criminal landlords who do not meet their legal obligations.

The severity of the fine imposed to each offender will depend on the level of harm caused to their residents and their culpability for the failures.

For example, a housing defect that caused serious risk of fire, electrocution or carbon monoxide poisoning for which the landlord acted either deliberately or recklessly would incur the heaviest possible fine.

Less serious risks — such as excess cold, asbestos exposure, mould, or entry by intruders — are likely to result in a smaller penalty.

Bolton Council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, said: “We are committed to tackling rogue, irresponsible and criminal landlords.

“Nobody should have to live in unsafe accommodation and the new penalties provide a further deterrent for landlords who do not meet their legal responsibilities.

“We always try and work with landlords first and they will have the option to take steps to make the required changes before fines are issued.

“But the message is clear – if you are breaking the law, we will take action. The level of fine will vary depending on a range of factors like severity of the offence, and the track record of the landlord.

“A serious safety breach which could directly threaten vulnerable tenants’ lives could result in a £30,000 fine.

“If a tenant is concerned about their property we would encourage them to get in touch with us.”

The powers were first introduced by the Government in April. They are not retrospective and will not apply to offences committed before that date.

Income received from the civil penalty can be retained by the local authority provided that put back into funding enforcement activities covering the private rented sector.

Last month, Bolton Council received a £258,000 grant from the Government’s Controlling Migration Fund to target rogue landlords responsible for the provision of poor quality housing and associated criminality across the borough.

The town hall said last month that the scheme will improve the quality of life of people blighted by issues such as ‘waste nuisance, overcrowding, noise and anti-social behaviour’.