## Council boosts enforcement funding to tackle rogue landlords

Wolverhampton City Council has announced a significant increase in funding to strengthen its enforcement activities against rogue landlords in the private rented sector (PRS). Ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) implementation in May 2026, the council will invest an additional £714,000 during the 2026/27 financial year to support investigations, regulatory work, and legal proceedings related to housing standards.

The move reflects the council’s commitment to ensuring landlords comply with new statutory responsibilities introduced by the RRA, which places greater enforcement duties on local authorities.

## Preparing for new responsibilities under the Renters’ Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act introduces expanded powers and duties for councils across England to regulate landlords and protect tenants. Wolverhampton City Council’s increased funding will help meet these new demands, which include investigating suspected breaches of landlord legislation, issuing civil penalties, and reporting on enforcement outcomes.

Authorised officers will gain enhanced investigatory powers, enabling them to obtain information from landlords, letting agents, banks, and other organisations. They will also be able to enter premises where offences are suspected, allowing for more proactive oversight of the PRS.

## Supporting good landlords while tackling poor practice

Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city housing, emphasised the council’s balanced approach: “We recognise there are many excellent landlords in Wolverhampton who provide a very valuable housing offer. However, we will not tolerate rogue landlords taking advantage of tenants and we will use powers to investigate and take action, which can include using court injunctions and prosecution.”

He added that the extra funding is part of a wider package of housing measures aimed at improving living standards across the city. The council’s ability to provide this support is attributed to sound financial management and a positive government settlement.

## Increasing demands on enforcement services

Wolverhampton’s private sector housing service has faced growing pressures over the past five years, including work on high-rise building safety, damp and mould cases, and enforcement linked to the Supported Housing Improvement Programme. The number of service requests has tripled, with officers managing increasingly complex cases, including illegal eviction interventions.

The additional funding will enable the council to maintain existing responsibilities while fulfilling the new enforcement duties under the Renters’ Rights Act, ensuring better protection for tenants and improved standards across the PRS.

## What this means for landlords

Landlords operating in Wolverhampton should expect increased scrutiny and enforcement activity as the council prepares to implement the Renters’ Rights Act. Compliance with housing standards and landlord legislation will be monitored more closely, with authorised officers empowered to investigate and take legal action where necessary.

Proactive landlords maintaining good standards can expect continued recognition, while those failing to meet their obligations may face penalties, injunctions, or prosecution.

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Suggested internal link anchors
– Renters’ Rights Act enforcement
– landlord regulation
– private rented sector standards
– housing enforcement funding
– rogue landlords
– illegal eviction cases
– tenancy compliance
– local authority landlord powers
– tenant protections
– housing standards enforcement
– council housing initiatives
– landlord legal responsibilities

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TLA update

TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/