Local Authorities in England are set to increase enforcement against rogue landlords and letting agents, following recent legislative changes and new support measures. While enforcement has historically been underfunded and inconsistent, recent reforms aim to make fines easier to issue and much harder to evade.

Improved Enforcement Under the Renters Rights Act 2025

The Renters Rights Act 2025 has introduced a statutory duty for Local Authorities to enforce landlord legislation within their jurisdictions. This development marks a significant shift from previous years, where enforcement was often hampered by limited resources and competing priorities, such as housing the homeless.

Fines and rent repayment awards have been substantially increased, providing stronger financial deterrents against non-compliance. Additionally, new rules hold superior landlords and company officials personally liable, closing loopholes that previously allowed offenders to avoid punishment.

Crucially, Local Authorities will now be able to retain the additional income generated from fines, enabling them to reinvest in enforcement activities. This financial incentive is expected to bolster their capacity to tackle rogue landlords more effectively.

Challenges in Collecting Fines

Despite the ability to issue fines more readily, Local Authorities have struggled to collect payments from landlords and agents, particularly those operating criminally. Research cited by the National Residential Landlords Association reveals that between 2021 and 2023, £13 million in civil penalties were issued, yet only £6 million was collected—leaving approximately 54% unpaid.

This gap highlights that while issuing fines is straightforward, enforcement of payment remains a significant challenge. Historically, Local Authorities have lacked the resources or mechanisms to pursue unpaid penalties effectively.

Introducing JFT Legal Limited to Support Enforcement

To address this enforcement gap, a new law firm, JFT Legal Limited, has been established by Justice for Tenants. Known for assisting tenants in obtaining Rent Repayment Orders, Justice for Tenants is expanding its work to support Local Authorities in enforcing judgment debts, fines, and awards.

JFT Legal Limited has received approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority and is already operational, with its website scheduled to launch in June. The firm benefits from £500,000 in third-sector funding, allowing Local Authorities to access its services without upfront costs. Fees are kept low and can be deducted from recovered funds, making the service financially accessible.

Local Authorities using Justice for Tenants’ civil penalty notice generator software can seamlessly refer cases to JFT Legal, suggesting the service will be widely adopted and streamline enforcement processes.

What this means for landlords

For compliant landlords, these changes represent positive progress in weeding out rogue operators who undermine the sector’s reputation. The increased enforcement and improved collection mechanisms will help ensure that those who flout regulations face consequences.

However, landlords should be aware that challenging civil penalty notices or appealing decisions may now carry greater risks and costs. Prolonged disputes can increase expenses, especially if the Local Authority engages JFT Legal to recover unpaid fines.

Many Local Authorities offer discounts for prompt payment of civil penalties. Unless there is a clear error in the notice, it is often financially prudent for landlords to accept the penalty and benefit from the discount rather than incur higher costs through appeals.

Landlord Law members can access detailed guidance on Local Authority enforcement through the “Dealing with Local Authority Enforcement Kit,” which provides practical advice on navigating these changes.

Source: Based on reporting from The Landlord Law Blog

TLA Training Academy

The Landlord Association has launched its new Training Academy for UK landlords, providing structured guidance, compliance education, and practical knowledge to support landlords at every stage. Members can now complete the programme and become TLA Certified Landlords at no additional cost as part of their membership.

Landlords can explore the Academy here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/tla-academy/

Those looking to join and access the full training and certification can register here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/landlord-association-membership-uk/

TLA update

The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/