## Enforcement of Renters’ Rights Act Depends on Council Capacity

The Renters’ Reform Coalition has emphasised that the success of the Renters’ Rights Act will be determined by how effectively local authorities enforce its provisions. Speaking to the London Assembly Housing Committee, Niamh Evans, policy officer at the coalition, stated: “The Renters’ Rights Act will only be as effective as how well it is enforced.”

The Act introduces several new duties for councils to protect renters’ rights and take enforcement action. However, Evans pointed out that many councils currently lack the capacity to enforce even existing regulations. She noted that over a third of councils did not prosecute a single landlord in the three years leading up to 2024, and only one landlord in London was prosecuted for illegal eviction during that period.

This highlights a significant enforcement gap that could undermine the Act’s intended impact unless addressed.

## Calls for Enhanced Enforcement Powers and Funding

The coalition advocates for councils to utilise new enforcement tools available under the Renters’ Rights Act, such as on-the-spot fines and surprise inspection powers. These measures are designed to strengthen councils’ ability to act swiftly against non-compliant landlords.

Evans also suggested expanding selective licensing schemes as a means to boost enforcement capacity and generate stable funding. Currently, 40% of London councils do not operate any selective licensing scheme, which could otherwise provide resources to support enforcement efforts.

For landlords, this signals a potential increase in regulatory scrutiny and the importance of compliance with housing standards to avoid penalties.

## Debate Over Selective Licensing and New Database System

While the Renters’ Reform Coalition supports expanding selective licensing, the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) offers a contrasting view. Ben Beadle, NRLA chief executive, argued that the Renters’ Rights Act’s new landlord registration database will reduce the need for selective licensing schemes.

Beadle explained: “The Renters’ Rights Act will deal with licensing. It will create a database for landlords, and every property will be listed on it. If you don’t register your property, you will face a fine. With this system in place, you don’t need the duplication of selective licensing.”

He also warned that some local authorities have become reliant on income from selective licensing, making it challenging to replace this revenue stream. The database aims to enable targeted enforcement and provide renters with better information without duplicating licensing requirements.

Landlords should prepare for the new registration system and understand how it may affect local licensing arrangements.

## Concerns Over Delayed Implementation of Key Housing Standards

Generation Rent, another tenant advocacy group, criticised the planned timelines for implementing Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard. Ben Twomey, Generation Rent’s chief executive, described the 2027 date for Awaab’s Law and the 2035 target for the Decent Homes Standard as too distant.

He said: “Ten years for the Decent Homes Standard is far too long and it creates uncertainty about whether there will even be a government committed to delivering it by that point.”

Twomey urged for Awaab’s Law, which sets clear deadlines for landlords to address serious hazards, to be brought forward ideally to this year. He added that the Decent Homes Standard would only require improvements to properties that currently fall below decent condition.

For landlords, this suggests increasing pressure to meet higher property standards sooner than some statutory deadlines indicate.

## What This Means for UK Landlords

The Renters’ Rights Act introduces new enforcement powers for councils but relies heavily on their capacity and willingness to act. Landlords should be aware that councils may increase inspections and fines, especially as new registration and inspection regimes come into effect.

The debate over selective licensing indicates potential changes in local authority approaches to regulation and funding, with a shift towards centralised landlord databases.

Additionally, landlords should monitor developments around Awaab’s Law and the Decent Homes Standard, as tenant groups are pushing for accelerated implementation timelines, which could impact property management obligations.

Suggested internal link anchors

– Renters’ Rights Act enforcement
– landlord registration database
– selective licensing schemes
– illegal eviction prosecutions
– Awaab’s Law implementation
– Decent Homes Standard
– local authority housing enforcement
– on-the-spot fines for landlords
– surprise inspection powers
– landlord compliance obligations
– tenant protection measures
– housing standards enforcement

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/