Colchester City Council’s Private Sector Housing Team has had an improvement notice upheld by the First-tier Tribunal after it issued a fine to a landlord following fire safety concerns. The team has taken enforcement action against two housing providers over failures to comply with housing safety and regulatory requirements affecting rented properties in the New Town & Christ Church area of Colchester.
The action highlights our commitment to maintaining housing standards and protecting people living in rented accommodation across the city.
Tribunal upholds fire safety improvement notice
A First-tier Tribunal has upheld an improvement notice served by Colchester City Council on the landlord of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 98 George Williams Way, Colchester.
A First-tier Tribunal has upheld an improvement notice served by Colchester City Council on the landlord of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 98 George Williams Way, Colchester.
The three-storey property was found by the Tribunal to be operating as a bedsit-type HMO. The Tribunal agreed that the council had correctly identified a Category 2 fire hazard under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and ruled that the remedial works required by the council were appropriate and proportionate.
The required improvements include providing a fire blanket, inspecting and upgrading fire doors, and installing a Grade A LD2 fire detection and alarm system.
The Tribunal also upheld the council's charge of £645 for serving the improvement notice.
Enforcement action taken
Colchester City Council has also issued civil penalty notices totalling £23,600 against two housing providers after identifying failures to meet housing safety and compliance requirements at single household properties in the New Town & Christ Church area of Colchester.
Colchester City Council has also issued civil penalty notices totalling £23,600 against two housing providers after identifying failures to meet housing safety and compliance requirements at single household properties in the New Town & Christ Church area of Colchester.
Anchor Housing was issued with a £10,000 civil penalty notice on 12 June 2026 for partially failing to comply with a housing improvement notice requiring drainage works at a rented property.
A further civil penalty notice of £13,600 was issued to Peabody Housing Association on 24 July 2026 after it failed to provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report when requested by the council.
Under the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020, landlords must arrange for electrical installations in rented homes to be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every five years. They must also obtain a written report, provide copies to tenants within the required timescales and supply a copy to the local housing authority within seven days if requested.
Without the report, the council was unable to verify that the electrical installation had been inspected and tested in accordance with the regulations.
Helping residents live safely in their homes
Safe, well-managed homes play an important role in supporting healthy and thriving communities. The council works with landlords to help them understand and meet their legal responsibilities, while taking formal action where necessary to protect residents.
Safe, well-managed homes play an important role in supporting healthy and thriving communities. The council works with landlords to help them understand and meet their legal responsibilities, while taking formal action where necessary to protect residents.
Cllr David King, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder Local Government Reorganisation, Communities and Public Protection, said: "Everyone should feel safe in their homes whether they own or rent them, having confidence that basic safety standards are being met. These cases demonstrate our commitment to protecting residents and ensuring landlords meet their legal responsibilities.
"We will continue to work constructively with landlords wherever possible, but we will not hesitate to take enforcement action when standards fall short and resident safety could be put at risk."
Supporting standards across the private rented sector
The private rented sector provides homes for many people across Colchester, and the council is committed to ensuring those homes are safe, properly managed and meet required standards.
The private rented sector provides homes for many people across Colchester, and the council is committed to ensuring those homes are safe, properly managed and meet required standards.
With demand for social housing continuing to exceed the number of homes available, particularly larger family homes, the private rented sector plays an increasingly important role in helping people access and sustain settled accommodation. Ensuring those homes are safe and of a good standard is therefore vital for residents across the city.
We will continue to use enforcement powers where necessary to secure improvements and help protect residents from avoidable risks in their homes.
If you are a private renter or know a private renter who may be experiencing poor housing conditions, unsafe or inadequate accommodation, please contact Colchester City Council’s Private Sector Housing Team.