Key policies updated ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act
To meet the new duties placed on local authorities by the Renters’ Rights Act, two key policies have been updated to reflect the council's increased enforcement powers.
Last night (12 March), the council’s Executive considered the revised Housing Standards Enforcement Policy and the Housing Standards Civil Penalty Notice Policy, and agreed to recommend both documents to Council for formal adoption in April.
The Renters’ Rights Act introduces significant changes for both tenants and landlords, and the expectation that local authorities take immediate enforcement action for a range of offences.
The revised polices being put forward to Council reflect the new powers, responsibilities, and penalty structures being ushered in under the Act to give tenants more security and protection against unscrupulous landlords.
The policies have both been drafted by Justice for Tenants and have been endorsed by the Association for Chief Environmental Health Officers (ACEHO). They have been sent to all authorities as recommended policies to adopt and, if all councils adopt them, they will provide consistency across the country.
The development of these policies has included detailed review of relevant guidance, procedural precedents relating to financial penalties, and consideration of over half of all First Tier Tribunal appeal decisions.
The starting points for the Civil Penalty Notice fines have been taken from the recommendation from the Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG).
Cllr Liam Lyons, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said:
The Renters’ Rights Act marks a major shift in the private rental landscape, and our revised enforcement policies will ensure we are fully equipped to uphold the law from day one.
Consistency, clarity, and fairness sit at the heart of the revisions. By adopting nationally recognised policies, we are strengthening protections for tenants while giving responsible landlords the confidence of a transparent and robust framework.
With the Act so heavily weighted towards enforcement, it’s absolutely essential landlords start familiarising themselves with the available guidance now.
To find out more about the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords and tenants should visit gov.uk/rentingischanging