In a major clampdown, a city council has in the last six weeks fined 11 letting agents a total of £37,000 for not belonging to a redress scheme, in contravention of new rules that kicked in last September.

Sheffield – where an estimated 16% of the population lives in private rented accommodation – says it is the first authority outside London to take such action.

Sheffield said that it had looked at 200 letting agents in the city and added that also in the last six weeks it has taken eight other cases to court which involve agents or landlords. Each prosecution was successful.

Cllr Jayne Dunn, cabinet member for housing, said: “We want the people of Sheffield to be able to live in good, safe housing, regardless of whether it’s rented or not.

“More people are living in rented housing as the cost of buying their own home becomes increasingly unaffordable. And we need to protect their rights.

“We are committed to this and will use all new legislation to help us. Most letting agents and landlords in Sheffield are very good and work with us really well. But we will take firm action on the small minority that do not follow the new measures designed to give tenants a fair deal.”