Local councils in England are adopting stricter enforcement policies under the Renters’ Rights Act, with some landlords now facing formal action without prior warning, according to a legal firm specialising in landlord defence.
The shift in approach follows guidance issued by Portsmouth City Council to landlords on its licensing database after the new rules came into force on 1 May. The council’s updated policy states that “formal enforcement may now be taken more quickly, without a warning in some cases”.
Changes to enforcement framework
Phil Turtle, Director of Landlord Licensing & Defence, said the previous enforcement framework typically involved councils issuing a warning or advisory notice before escalating to formal action. “That safety net has now been removed,” he stated.
The law firm reports that councils are increasingly adopting policies allowing officers to move directly to formal enforcement where there are “serious risks, clear legal breaches or repeat issues”.
Penalties under the new regime can reach £7,000 for lower-level breaches and up to £40,000 for the most serious offences. Councils are also able to issue multiple fines simultaneously where several breaches are identified during a single inspection.
Compliance concerns
Turtle said many landlords remain unfamiliar with some of the tenancy management and discrimination rules introduced under the new regime. The development comes as rental affordability pressures continue to mount across the private rented sector.
He warned landlords not to underestimate how quickly enforcement deadlines can move once notices are issued. “Our message to every landlord in England is this: do not wait until you receive a notice,” Turtle said. “Understand your obligations now, get your compliance records in order, and know who to call before you need them.”
The stricter enforcement approach represents a significant shift in how local authorities handle regulatory breaches in the private rented sector, with potential implications for landlords’ operating costs and compliance procedures. The changes occur alongside broader policy debates around rental sector regulation.