Subsections 16I(9) and 16K(5) allow the Secretary of State to issue guidance on the use of financial penalties that local authorities must have regard to when exercising their enforcement functions under those sections. Guidance will assist local housing authorities to effectively enforce contraventions of the duties imposed by sections 16D and 16E and to prioritise enforcement appropriately.
	The power under section 16L(2) allows the Secretary of State to amend maximum penalty levels. This aims to ensure that the financial penalties continue to serve as a deterrent by reflecting changes to the value of money due to inflation.
	Regulations made under these sections will be subject to the negative procedure.
Part 1: Tenancy reform Chapter 1: Assured Tenancies Section 15: Landlords etc: financial penalties and offences Proposed use of powers