New Enforcement Powers for Local Authorities: What Landlords Need to Know!

From 27 December 2025, local housing authorities in England gain strengthened powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, allowing them to more proactively investigate potential breaches of housing law in the private rented sector.

These powers apply to private landlords and, where relevant, letting agents or anyone involved in the letting or management of rented properties.

So what does this actually mean for landlords?

A More Proactive Approach from Councils

One of the biggest changes is that councils no longer have to rely solely on tenant complaints before looking into issues. If an authorised officer has reasonable suspicion that certain housing laws may have been breached, they can now formally request a range of documents and information.

Requests may include:

• Tenancy agreements and related paperwork
• Evidence of safety compliance
• Licensing documentation
• Records showing how repairs or management duties are handled

Simply put: councils have clearer tools to gather evidence when investigating concerns.

What This Means for Landlords

For professional landlords who already take compliance seriously, this shift should be seen as a positive step aimed at improving standards across the sector.

However, landlords who:

• are unsure of their obligations
• have missing or outdated documentation
• are slow to address repairs or compliance issues

…may find themselves under increased scrutiny.

Good record‑keeping and being able to provide documents quickly are now more important than ever.

Letting Agents Are Also Within Scope

Letting agents are not automatically exempt from these powers. If an agent is responsible for management or compliance activities, they may also be legally required to provide information during an investigation.

This makes it crucial for both landlords and agents to have:

• Clear responsibilities
• Accurate, up‑to‑date records
• Regular internal compliance checks

Everyone involved in managing a property needs to be aligned.

Potential Penalties and Consequences

Councils already have a range of enforcement options, including civil penalties and criminal prosecution for more serious offences.

With stronger evidence‑gathering powers, councils may now find it easier to take action where standards fall short.

The consequences can be significant:

• Financial penalties
• Reputational damage
• Increased scrutiny in future

A Smart Next Step

These changes are not aimed at catching out responsible landlords; they are designed to raise standards and improve accountability across the sector.

If you’re unsure whether your documentation, processes, or management arrangements are fully up to date, now is the ideal time to review them and we can help.

If you’d like to talk things through, we can take a look at what you currently have in place and help identify any potential risks early.

Contact our lettings team on 0208 0165 333