Today, we had the pleasure of speaking at the LLG Housing Law Conference on the new enforcement framework established under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) and what it will mean in practice for local authorities.

A clear objective of the RRA is to strengthen local authorities’ enforcement powers. The guide accompanying the RRA states the reforms ‘will be underpinned by an effective, consistent and proportionate enforcement framework’

The new enforcement powers under the RRA are set out in Part 4 of the Act. Some points to note include: 

• The RRA introduces a new statutory duty on every local housing authority to enforce what it refers to as the ‘landlord legislation’ in its area. ‘Landlord legislation’ includes Chapters 3 and 6 of Part 1 of the RRA (Discrimination in the rental market and stating the proposed rent and rental bidding), Part 2 of the RRA (Residential landlords – landlord redress schemes and the Private Rented Sector Database), Sections 1 and 1A of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988 (Assured Tenancies). Authorities meet that duty by acting in accordance with their enforcement policies, which should have been reviewed to take account of and reflect the guidance released to support the new framework.
• The RRA also recognises that enforcement does not always fit neatly within local boundaries. Where landlords operate across multiple areas, the legislation allows one authority to take the lead on enforcement action in respect of all breaches, even those outside of its area (with very clear notification between affected authorities required). County councils are also given powers to enforce the landlord legislation in certain circumstances, again subject to notification.
• The Act introduces a wide range of investigatory powers – including the power to request information from individuals and organisations such as landlords, agents, estate and lettings agencies, tenants, banks and accountants; powers to enter rental sector business premises with or without a warrant; and enhanced ability to use data held by tenancy deposit schemes, Housing Benefit and Council Tax teams. Used properly, these powers have the potential to transform how authorities gather intelligence and build robust cases.
• A key theme of the new framework is the distinction between a ‘breach’ and an ‘offence’. Breaches, which can be caused by simple administrative error, attract financial penalties of up to £7,000. More serious ‘offences’ allow authorities to choose between prosecution or a financial penalty of up to £40,000. Notably, illegal eviction can now be dealt with by way of a financial penalty, rather than prosecution alone. Our colleague, Joanne Wright, has written a blog regarding the expanded jurisdiction of the tribunal, including to accommodate appeals against financial penalties for illegal eviction offences (see her blog here).
• The guidance is clear that authorities are not required to pursue informal routes to achieve compliance before taking enforcement action - deterrence and preventing offending/reoffending are central aims.

Enforcing authorities will need to ensure that they are ready and have taken action to update policies and procedures, train staff and plan how teams within the authorities, and different authorities, will work together.

It is important to note that with these increased powers, there is likely to be more pressure for authorities to be seen to take enforcement action. The powers under the RRA are being well publicised and so residents are going to know what to expect from their local authority, as well as what to expect from their landlord.

For more information or advice on what the RRA means for housing enforcement, please get in touch.