From 27 December 2025, local councils across England will receive a new wave of enforcement powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, transforming how private rented sector (PRS) compliance is monitored and upheld. These changes are designed to create a fairer, safer, and more transparent rental market by ensuring landlords and letting agents meet their legal obligations consistently. The shift marks a major move from voluntary or selective enforcement toward a more structured, mandatory system where local housing authorities play a central role in safeguarding tenants and maintaining property standards.

1. A Statutory Duty to Enforce

Until now, councils had discretion over how actively they enforced housing laws. From December 2025, this changes dramatically — enforcement will become a legal duty. Local authorities will be obliged to investigate potential breaches, conduct inspections, and take action where non-compliance is found.

This means landlords can expect a more proactive approach from councils, including:

• Routine property inspections and compliance checks.
• Greater scrutiny of licensing conditions.
• Investigations into safety breaches such as missing Gas Safety or Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs).
  

Once the new national landlord registration database is introduced in 2026, councils will have even more tools to identify non-compliant landlords and unregistered properties. This statutory duty ensures that enforcement becomes consistent across all local authorities, not dependent on local policy or funding availability.

2. New Powers to Request Information

Under Sections 114 and 115 of the Renters’ Rights Act, councils will have enhanced powers to formally request information. This extends beyond just landlords and agents — it includes third parties who may hold relevant records.

For example, councils will be able to request:

• Proof of tenancy agreements and deposit protection documentation.
• Copies of safety certificates (Gas Safety, EPCs, EICRs).
• Transaction records or rent payment histories.
• Information from banks, contractors, or letting software providers to confirm compliance or identify irregularities.
  

Failure to respond accurately or promptly to these requests can lead to financial penalties, even if no wider breach is found. This places greater emphasis on record-keeping and transparency — ensuring that all documentation is readily available and properly stored.

3. Stronger Powers of Entry

Council officers will also gain greater rights of entry to investigate compliance issues. They will be permitted to enter business premises, such as letting agency offices, to review records, systems, or documentation related to rented properties.

In some limited circumstances, they may also enter tenanted properties, typically where there are serious concerns about safety, disrepair, or potential breaches of housing standards. Depending on the case, this may occur with or without a warrant.

This change is intended to close enforcement gaps where access to information or premises was previously denied. For compliant landlords and agents, this means being prepared for the possibility of inspections and ensuring all property files, certificates, and records are kept up to date and accessible.

4. Increased Penalty Levels

The new legislation also raises the financial stakes for non-compliance. Local authorities will be empowered to issue higher civil penalties, creating a stronger deterrent for rule-breaking.

• Up to £7,000 can be issued for minor or first-time breaches, such as administrative oversights or documentation errors.
• Up to £40,000 can be applied for serious or repeated offences, including safety breaches, unlicensed properties, or persistent non-compliance.
• In cases involving deliberate misconduct, fraud, or risk to tenant safety, criminal prosecution may follow, potentially leading to further fines or banning orders.
  

The increased penalty framework aims to make enforcement meaningful and proportionate — ensuring penalties reflect the seriousness of the offence while encouraging swift rectification of issues.

5. Reporting Requirements

Councils will now be required to report their enforcement activity to the Secretary of State, creating a national picture of PRS compliance and helping identify patterns of poor practice or underperformance.

This move is expected to improve consistency between regions, preventing the “postcode lottery” of enforcement where some areas are more lenient than others. The data collected will also help shape future housing policy, ensuring that enforcement remains robust, fair, and effective across England.

What This Means for Landlords

The new rules are designed to raise standards, but for landlords who already operate responsibly, they should bring peace of mind rather than concern. Councils will be targeting those who cut corners, not those who follow the law.

To stay ahead, landlords should:

• Check compliance paperwork: Make sure your Gas Safety, EICR, and EPC certificates are valid and easy to locate.
  
• Keep clear tenancy records: Store tenancy agreements, deposit protection details, and How to Rent guides in a well-organised digital or physical format.
• Respond quickly to information requests: Councils now have the power to demand information, and timely cooperation will help avoid unnecessary fines.
• Work with a professional agent: Partnering with a compliant letting agent like Bricknells Rentals ensures your property remains legally sound and fully documented.
  

Preparation and organisation will make compliance straightforward, allowing landlords to avoid penalties and demonstrate best practice when inspections occur.

How Bricknells Rentals Is Supporting Landlords

At Bricknells Rentals, we pride ourselves on taking the stress out of compliance. Our experienced team continuously monitors legislative changes and council guidance to ensure all managed properties meet the latest legal standards. We maintain comprehensive audit trails and detailed records for every property, allowing us to respond quickly and accurately to council information requests or inspections.

Our staff receive ongoing training in property law, compliance, and documentation management, ensuring we can protect our landlords from risk while keeping tenants safe and informed. We also provide proactive communication, keeping landlords up to date with any new legal developments as the Renters’ Rights Act continues to roll out.

Led by Managing Director Dawn Holmes, along with Kelly Fisher (Office Manager), Chris Holmes (Manager), and our skilled Portfolio Management Team — Maxine Morrow, Carole Westmoreland, Helen Baldwin, Faye Clift, Paula Beaumont, and Linda Foster-Maria — Bricknells Rentals delivers exceptional property management rooted in trust, compliance, and professionalism.

Our mission is simple: to make compliance easy, transparent, and stress-free, allowing landlords to focus on their investments while we take care of the legal details.

Stay Compliant with Confidence

The new enforcement powers coming into effect from 27 December 2025 mark a significant shift in how councils monitor the private rented sector. Don’t wait until inspections begin — make sure your portfolio is fully compliant today.

At Bricknells Rentals, our experienced team can carry out a free landlord compliance check to review your documentation, certificates, and tenancy records, ensuring everything is ready for the upcoming changes.

Call us on 01709 365584  or email enquiries@bricknells-rentals.co.uk to book your compliance review.
We’ll help you stay compliant, confident, and one step ahead of the new regulations.