Councils gain new enforcement powers under Renters’ Rights Act

New powers granted to local authorities to take action against landlords that fail to meet requirements set out in the Renters’ Rights Act have now come into effect.

As of June 22nd 2026, Councils can now impose fines of up £7,000 on private sector landlords who fail to fix poor conditions, including freezing conditions, faulty electrics, fire hazards, structural issues and unsafe layouts. In addition to financial penalties, council’s can also force repairs, carry out emergency repairs and recover costs from landlords, while repeat offenders can face fines of up to £40,000.

Clara Collingwood, Director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said:

“Home is where you should feel safest, but for far too long hundreds of thousands of renters have been living in substandard homes that undermine our health and cause serious harm to children and vulnerable adults. It’s great that authorities have new powers to tackle this, and they must start using them immediately to crack down on landlords who profit from unhealthy homes.”

Reforms in the Renters’ Rights Act change how tenancies work within the private rented sector (PRS), and set clear expectations for landlords and give greater security for residents.

Alongside the new powers for Councils, government is also updating the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS). This system is used to assess health and safety in all types of housing, making it simpler to identify dangerous risks and take action.

The improved final framework comes into force on Tuesday 23 June and will support quicker enforcement, helping to ensure hazards such as damp, fire risks and unsafe electrics are addressed more effectively.

Other rules introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act include:

• End of section 21 “no fault” evictions. Landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without giving a valid reason. Tenancies can be ended only due to rental arrears, anti-social behaviour, or in order for the landlord to sell or move into the property, in which case a four-month notice period must be served. Where tenants refuse to leave, landlords must apply to the court for evictions.
• End to fixed term tenancies. All existing fixed-term tenancies must be changed to rolling agreements, with tenants able to choose to leave at any time by giving two months’ notice.
• Rent increases can only be permitted once per year, and must reflect local market rates. Increases cannot be backdated, and tenants can challenge excessive increases.
• Ban on rental bidding. Landlords and agents no longer be able to ask for or accept offers above the advertised rent when marketing properties to new tenants. No more than one month’s rent can be paid in advance
• New property standards. Homes offered for rent must meet the new Decent Homes Standard. By 2030, all private rented homes must have an EPC rating of C or above.
• End to discrimination based on whether tenants have children, or are in receipt of benefits.
• New rules for pets. Tenants have the right to request a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. Landlords can stipulate tenants have adequate insurance to cover against any damage an animal may cause.
• New landlord ombudsman and database. All landlords must sign up to the scheme, which will give tenants access to a clear process for making complaints against a landlord and secure impartial and binding resolutions when necessary.