Landlords and agents – Does the 27th December ring a bell?
Landlords and agents – Does the 27th December ring a bell?
It should do and it deserves far more attention than it is getting, as it has rather slipped under the radar being overshadowed by the Renters Rights Act starting on the 1st May 2026! Why is it so important?
From the 27th, councils will gain their new investigatory powers. This will not be a gradual rollout, but will begin immediately, right in the middle of the festive season!
These powers allow councils to:
Request information from landlords, agents, tenancy deposit schemes, and other relevant persons to investigate potential housing law breaches.
Enter business premises to inspect or seize documents relevant to an investigation.
Enter residential properties with reasonable grounds to suspect a breach, such as unlicensed HMOs or unsafe living conditions.
Apply to the court for a warrant if entry or document access is refused.
These powers are not automatic and must be used for legitimate investigative purposes, such as illegal eviction or harassment cases, poor housing conditions, and other offences under housing legislation. The Act also imposes a duty on councils to enforce “landlord legislation” and report their enforcement activities to the Secretary of State.
Councils can ask a relevant person for information to use as evidence, and they will be able to require this from anyone who has acted in the past twelve months as a landlord, agent, licensor, or marketer in connection with the relevant accommodation. Anyone who, in the past twelve months, had an estate or interest in the relevant accommodation or who purported to act for someone with such an interest or a licensor. This person is referred to as a ‘relevant person’ in the Renters’ Rights Act, section 114(2).
The operation of the powers is wide ranging and comprehensive, should councils be required to use it. For the full details the guide can be found on the government link below:
The PRS has existed over recent years working together with local councils to supply the housing so desperately required. This government legislation may change the dynamic of this working relationship, because attitudes will be legally expected to change from “Education to Enforcement” – so much for the festive spirit!!