Fines and enforcement
The Renters’ Rights Act gives us stronger powers as a council to take action where the rules are not followed in the private rented sector. Most of these changes apply from 1 May 2026.
The aim is not to catch people out, but to raise standards, encourage compliance, and make renting fair and transparent for everyone.
What fines can landlords face?
Under the new law, we can issue civil financial penalties where a landlord or letting agent breaks the rules. The level of the penalty will depend on how serious the breach is and whether it has happened before.
Fines of up to £7,000
These can be issued for most one‑off or administrative breaches, for example:
- advertising or offering a fixed‑term tenancy after fixed terms are abolished
- rent‑related breaches, including:
- accepting offers above the advertised rent
- encouraging rent bidding
- asking for more than one month’s rent in advance
- failing to follow the correct legal process for increasing rent
- failing to provide required written tenancy information
- using incorrect or invalid notices to try to end a tenancy
These penalties are intended to support compliance and will be the most common type of fine.
Fines of up to £40,000
Higher penalties may be issued for serious, repeated or deliberate breaches, including:
- unlawful eviction or harassment
- re‑letting or marketing a property within 12 months after using “selling” or “moving in” grounds to end a tenancy
- continuing to break the rules after a previous penalty has been issued
- committing multiple housing offences over time
In some cases, we may choose between issuing a civil penalty or pursuing prosecution through the courts, where unlimited fines may apply.
Who can we take action against?
We can issue penalties not only to landlords, but also to letting agents or anyone acting on the landlord’s behalf, where they are responsible for the breach.
What happens to the money?
Any money we collect from civil penalties will be reinvested into housing enforcement and improving standards in the private rented sector.
Tenant‑led enforcement
Some breaches may also give tenants the right to apply for a Rent Repayment Order, which can require a landlord to repay up to two years’ rent in certain circumstances. This sits alongside council enforcement.
