As we move through 2025, local authorities across England are stepping up enforcement against landlords who fail to let properties legally and safely.
Fines are rising, enforcement is more visible, and some landlords are even receiving suspended prison sentences or worse, jail.
With the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) on the horizon, these penalties are set to increase further.
Fines are increasing and becoming public
Fines for non-compliance are no longer limited to a few thousand pounds. Today, it’s common to see landlords fined tens or even hundreds of thousands of pounds, with local authorities publishing details online and in the press, damaging both reputations and finances.
The latest fines in 2025 appear to show that many local authorities are taking enforcement of Private Rented Sector (PRS) rules and regulations more seriously and that they now have the tools required to prosecute landlords who breach them.
When the Housing and Planning Act 2016 introduced landlord fines, Newham Council was the first to start directly fining landlords. Civil penalty fines were relatively small in the early days, costing thousands of pounds.
However, in our latest review of fines, we are now seeing these rise not just to tens of thousands of pounds but hundreds of thousands of pounds and, in some cases, landlords are now receiving suspended sentences.
Waltham Forest in North London issued fines and prosecutions for 104 properties during 2023 and 2024 and backed cases to help 13 renters claim back their rent from landlords.
Examples include two landlords who were fined £135,000, including paying for prosecution costs, and victim surcharges.
The breaches were due to failing to license properties and not maintaining their rented homes to the standard required.
Greater Manchester isn’t just fining landlords; it has also developed a ‘Good Landlord Charter’ which “is a pioneering initiative to improve rental standards for private and social tenants.”
The Charter was launched by Mayor Andy Burnham and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA). Its aim is to “support landlords to develop and offer a better rental experience.”
So it’s clear that Greater Manchester is working to help create a successful and safe PRS for tenants – and landlords – but they have also announced that for those landlords who don’t abide by the rules, they will crack down with fines.
Greater Manchester has provided £1.5 million from GMCA’s Housing Investment Loans Fund to invest in housing officers.
The result has been a 43% increase in civil penalties on landlords, which has led to a 50% increase in fines over the past two years, compared to the two before.
Round-up of individual landlord fines imposed so far in 2025
Other fines we’ve seen so far this year include providing homes without the correct planning permission, not having a license and for illegally evicting a tenant:-
Another fine in Waltham Forest not only ordered a private landlord to pay £293,000 and if this wasn’t paid, they could be jailed for two and a half years. The planning breach was picked up when the landlord applied for a licence to let.
In Charnwood, which covers north Leicestershire (Loughborough, Shepshed) a landlord was fined £29,000 for not licensing a property and was ordered to pay additional court costs and victim surcharge which increased the payment to nearly £50,000.
In Barnet, a landlord who became particularly aggressive with a tenant, demanding more money for rent in person and eventually illegally evicting the tenant has been fined £20,000 and given a suspended prison sentence.
Fines to increase under the Renters Rights Bill
With more landlords being fined for not licensing properties, providing homes that are not legally and safely let, and poor treatment of tenants, the trajectory for landlord fines under the Renters Rights Bill (RRB) is only to increase.
When the RRB is implemented, fines are expected to increase and more to be imposed without Councils going to court, including:
- For non-compliance and initial breaches of the law, fines of up to £7,000 can be imposed
- The current maximum fine of £30,000 for a breach is to be increased to £40,000
- Civil penalties will be able to be issued for illegal evictions rather than going to court
What Can Landlords Do to Avoid Fines?
It’s increasingly difficult to keep up with all the legal and safety requirements, especially as local enforcement becomes more proactive. But staying informed and supported is crucial.
Tip: Work with a professional, qualified letting agent and regularly review your property’s compliance status.
If you're unsure whether your property meets current legal standards, or how upcoming RRB rules could affect you, speak with your local experts. We’re here to help landlords navigate the regulations and avoid costly mistakes.
The Your Move Content Marketing Team
