28The repairing standard: offencesS
(1)A landlord who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a repairing standard enforcement order commits an offence.
(2)For the purposes of subsection (1), a landlord has reasonable excuse for failing to comply with a repairing standard enforcement order if—
(a)the landlord is unable to comply with the order because of a lack of necessary rights (of access or otherwise) despite having taken reasonable steps for the purposes of acquiring those rights, or
(b)the work required by the order is likely to endanger any person.
(3)Subsection (2) does not affect the generality of the defence of reasonable excuse.
(4)A landlord cannot be guilty of an offence under subsection (1) unless the [F1First-tier Tribunal] has decided that the landlord has failed to comply with it (but such a decision does not establish a presumption that the landlord has committed an offence under subsection (1)).
(5)A landlord commits an offence if the landlord enters into a tenancy or occupancy arrangement in relation to a house at any time during which a repairing standard enforcement order has effect in relation to the house.
(6)A landlord does not commit an offence under subsection (5) if the [F2First-tier Tribunal] has consented to the landlord entering into the tenancy or occupancy arrangement.
(7)A landlord who is guilty of an offence under subsection (1) or (5) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 28(4) substituted (1.12.2016) by The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Transfer of Functions of the Private Rented Housing Committees) Regulations 2016 (S.S.I. 2016/337), reg. 1(2), sch. 2 para. 6(9)(a) (with sch. 1)
F2Word in s. 28(6) substituted (1.12.2016) by The First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Transfer of Functions of the Private Rented Housing Committees) Regulations 2016 (S.S.I. 2016/337), reg. 1(2), sch. 2 para. 6(9)(b) (with sch. 1)