One of the key areas of change under the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) has been fines and enforcement. Maximum penalties for non-compliant landlords have been increased, and local authorities have been given greater powers to enforce rules for the Private Rented Sector (PRS).
In terms of financial penalties:
- The maximum civil penalty – that’s a fine that can be issued by the council without having to take a landlord to court - has been raised from £30,000 to £40,000.
- Landlords can now be fined up to £7,000 for a range of specific offences, including:
- ​Neglecting their repair obligations
- Encouraging bidding wars for new tenancies
- Unreasonably refusing a tenant’s request to keep a pet
- Failing to provide tenants with a written statement of terms
- Councils can now issue a civil penalty for an illegal eviction - previously, they had to take a landlord to court
- The maximum amount for which a rent repayment order can be made has doubled to 24 months’ rent
Councils are now legally obliged to make sure landlords comply with the new rules and, in addition to increased fines, have been given additional powers of entry. That means they can enter both offices and rental properties without notice if they have good reason to suspect an offence has been committed or that there has been a breach of legislation. (If they are making a routine inspection, they must still give at least 24 hours’ notice.)
To support enforcement efforts, local authorities in England are being given a total of £60 million in government funding. In addition, up to £50m is being invested in modernising the court system, which will include digitising many processes, and £5m is going to housing legal aid to ensure tenants facing eviction can continue to access free legal help.
While this increase in enforcement activity may sound alarming, the reality is that most councils would rather help landlords achieve compliance than issue penalties. However, understanding regulations, keeping up with changing requirements and making sure properties meet the necessary standards can be both complex and time-consuming for busy landlords.
Many councils offer support to help landlords navigate their responsibilities, but taking advantage of these resources still requires time and attention. This is where a professional lettings agent, such as Your Move, can provide valuable support by helping landlords stay compliant and reducing the administrative burden.
Some of the services offered by councils include:
- Online training sessions
- Checklists and handbooks
- Advice on property standards
- Property inspections to help identify potential hazards and ensure compliance
- Guidance on best practice for managing rental properties
It’s important to know that each council will have its own approach to buy to let and has the power to set its own policies for things like licensing and planning. That means you’ve got to find out the specific rules in your area or engage an agent like Your Move that does the legwork for you.
Some councils have accreditation schemes that recognise landlords who maintain high-quality properties and meet their standards of property management.
On the other hand, if you don’t have the time to dedicate to being a hands-on landlord, working with a qualified letting and managing agent should ensure your property and tenancy are always legally compliant – and the agent can take on some of the legal responsibility for that.
So, if you have any questions about the new enforcement rules and penalties, or you’d like to discuss how our landlord services can protect your interests and reduce risk, just get in touch with your nearest Your Move branch and have a chat with one of our lettings experts.
The Your Move Content Marketing Team
