Local authorities across England are to receive around £60m in funding as they prepare to enforce new powers under the Renters’ Rights Act, which comes into force on 1 May.
The government said all 317 councils will share the funding package – comprising £41.12m in new money alongside £18.2m allocated in autumn 2025 – to support enforcement of the legislation and strengthen protections for tenants.
The Act introduces a range of new duties for councils, including a legal obligation to ensure landlords comply with rules banning practices such as rental bidding wars, discrimination against tenants with children or those in receipt of benefits, and so-called ‘no-fault’ evictions.
Local authorities will also be able to issue larger financial penalties, with fines for serious or repeat breaches rising to £40,000, up from £30,000. Rent Repayment Orders will double in scope – allowing tenants to reclaim up to two years’ rent, compared with the previous 12-month limit – while the timeframe for bringing claims will also extend to two years.
The measures build on expanded investigatory powers introduced in December, enabling councils to carry out more detailed enforcement action, including entering premises without prior notice and accessing information from third parties such as banks and accountants.
According to housing secretary Steve Reed, the reforms mark a major step in overhauling the private rented sector. “It’s less than a month until the Renters’ Rights Act begins to transform our private rented sector – a huge manifesto commitment,” he said.
“We’ve been preparing councils to use their new powers on the minority of landlords who rip off their tenants and this new funding will help councils carry out their duties.”
Alongside the funding for councils, the government confirmed up to £50m will be invested in modernising the civil courts, including the digitisation of processes, to support enforcement of the new regime. A further £5m per year will be allocated to the housing legal aid sector to ensure tenants can continue to access free support, particularly in cases involving eviction.
Courts minister Sarah Sackman KC emphasised that the justice system must be equipped to handle the changes. “The Renters’ Rights Act is historic, and our courts and tribunals must stand ready to deliver justice,” she said. “That’s why we’re investing millions to modernise and digitise court processes.”
Industry bodies and tenant groups have broadly welcomed the measures, particularly the focus on enforcement.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Rogue landlords have no place in the private rented sector and every effort should be made by local authorities to drive them from the market.
“This announcement demonstrates that the government is serious about tackling those who bring the sector into disrepute and supporting those responsible landlords who provide decent and secure homes for renters.”
Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, added that effective enforcement would be critical to the success of the reforms. “The law will only reach into people’s homes and make a positive difference if councils are able to take action against landlords who don’t follow the new rules,” he said.
The government said councils will continue to receive annual funding to support their responsibilities under the Act beyond its introduction next month.
Hunting season is open…
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Absolutely bizarre! Couldn’t be bothered to read full article – save to say yet reported by BBC recently that Loughborough a London council failed to address several long term council tenants property repairs etc.
Woe betide a Landlord failing in any respect as councils see rich pickings with ludicrous fines & extorting HMO registration fees.
Thought Trump was incredulous but this scheme at the same level.
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I don’t trust any council with these powers.
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Ben Beadle, chief executive of the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “Rogue landlords have no place in the private rented sector and every effort should be made by local authorities to drive them from the market.”
However, some landlords may view this as contradictory. There is a concern that issues within the sector can also exist among membership bodies themselves, with the view that many of their members may, in fact, fall into the category of rogue landlords. Coupled with the organisation’s support for the abolition of Section 21, this has led to criticism from some that the NRLA is not fully aligned with the interests of all landlord members.
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Among landlords it is known as the Not Really Landlords Association.
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Eleven asylum hotels closed last week and Government announced that a fund of millions will be offered to landlords to house the asylum claimants. Government don’t appear to be bothered about the thousands of tenants who will be evicted to house these men. Every landlord who takes this offer will sign a non disclosure. Governments have been bashing landlords for years maybe those who intended to sell up will jump onto this bandwagon, who can blame them. As far as rogue landlords go we all know they will continue to operate under the radar but only decent landlords who make one very small error will be fined and very heavily fined. £7,000 for one piece of missing paperwork is outrageous. The new bill, so we are told, is also good for landlords…it is not. With the end of s21 it will be almost impossible to evict for anti social behaviour without involving the police and the property will by law remain empty for 3 months while the landlord will be responsible to continue to pay the council tax, insurance etc. Negligent tenants can bring in a pet and we all know the horrendous damage done by pets. Non paying tenants will be able to live rent free for months before a court date is allocated. Insurers must be informed if a landlord takes tenants on benefits and their premiums will increase. Has the law changed for insurers as many will not insure if a landlord’s tenants are on benefits.
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They should be looking at Housing Associations, who have properties that are in a terrible state of repair or they leave them vacant to deteriorate over time. But will they???
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