What Landlords Need to Know
Local councils will soon be able to request key documents from landlords at short notice under new enforcement powers.
Overview of the New Enforcement Powers
On 27 December 2025, an important change from the Renters (Reform) Bill (now the Renters’ Rights Act 2025) came into effect: local councils in England gained new investigatory powers to enforce landlord compliance. From this date, councils will be able to request specific information and documents about any private tenancy you’ve been involved with in the past 12 months often with very short notice. These powers also allow council officers to enter business premises, inspect records, and even seize documents when they suspect a landlord or letting agent has broken certain laws. In other words, councils can now quickly demand evidence that you’re meeting all your legal obligations as a landlord, as part of a broader crackdown on rogue practices in the private rented sector.
This enforcement update is part of the wider Renters’ Reform rollout. While most headline reforms (such as abolishing “no-fault” Section 21 evictions and moving all tenancies to periodic contracts) don’t kick in until 1 May 2026, the government has deliberately brought forward these council powers to December 2025. The goal is to support the bigger changes ahead by ensuring landlords are already following existing rules on safety and standards. For responsible landlords, this shouldn’t be a cause for alarm it’s about giving councils the tools to enforce regulations that are largely already in place (like deposit protection and safety checks). The vast majority of landlords provide a good service, and these measures target the minority who don’t. As industry experts note, with so many new regulations, having a qualified, professional letting agent to help navigate compliance is more important than ever.
What Information Can Councils Request?
Councils’ new powers mean they can require you to produce a range of documents and information to prove your tenancy is compliant. Practically speaking, you should be prepared to share all the key paperwork for any tenancy. This includes:
● Tenancy agreements – The signed contract with your tenant (which contains details of the parties, terms, and your contact information).
● Deposit protection proof – Evidence that any security deposit was properly protected in a government-approved scheme and the prescribed information given to the tenant.
● Safety certificates – Up-to-date Gas Safety certificates (CP12), Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR), and evidence of working smoke/CO alarms as required.
● Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) – A valid EPC for the property, rated E or above, as legally required.
● Right-to-Rent checks – Records showing you verified your tenant’s immigration status (passport or share code checks) before the tenancy.
● Records of repairs and inspections – Logs of any property inspections, maintenance, and repairs carried out, especially for health and safety issues.
● Any legal notices or licenses – For example, copies of any Section 21 or Section 8 notices served, and evidence of local authority licensing if the property is an HMO or in a selective licensing area.
● Landlord identity and contact details – Councils may ask for the landlord’s address and proof of ownership (especially if you use an agent), to ensure they know who is responsible for the property. Under the Act, councils can request information from anyone with an interest in the property (landlords, agents, etc.) in the last 12 months.
In essence, any document related to the tenancy or property’s compliance could be requested. Councils are particularly focused on confirming that all required certificates, checks, and protections are in place and up to date. If something is missing or expired, it will raise a red flag. The legislation behind these duties isn’t new what is new is that councils will now be actively checking and enforcing them. This means landlords should organize their files so they can quickly hand over anything asked for. Keeping digital copies of certificates and agreements in one place is a smart idea, since a council request could require a prompt turnaround.
Consequences of Not Complying with Requests
It’s crucial to understand that these information requests are not optional. Failing to provide the requested information within the specified timeframe can have serious repercussions. If you ignore or miss a council’s request notice, you may be committing an offence and could be liable for a fine. Councils have the authority to enforce compliance they can even apply to a court for an order compelling you to produce the information if you don’t cooperate voluntarily. In practice, a landlord who doesn’t respond in time could first receive a financial penalty and potentially trigger further investigation into their property.
The fines for non-compliance have teeth. Local councils can impose significant financial penalties under the Renters’ Rights Act enforcement regime. For example, councils may issue civil penalties up to £7,000 for a first-time or minor breach, and this can rise to as high as £40,000 for more serious or repeated offences. In extreme cases (such as willful or persistent violations), councils might choose to prosecute instead, which can lead to unlimited fines being determined by the courts. These penalties underline how important it is to take any council communication seriously. Even an administrative oversight like an out-of-date gas certificate or an unprotected deposit can result in a fine once these powers kick in. Moreover, if a council suspects deliberate non-compliance (for instance, failing to protect a deposit or attempting an illegal eviction), they can use the new tools to dig deeper, potentially issuing Rent Repayment Orders or other enforcement actions in addition to fines. The bottom line: it’s far better to be proactive and transparent with your paperwork than to face enforcement for avoidable slip ups.
How Letting Agents Are Preparing and Supporting You
Professional letting agents are already gearing up to help landlords meet these new requirements. We understand that staying on top of every piece of paperwork can be challenging, especially with multiple properties or a busy schedule. Here are some of the steps we (as your letting agent) are taking to support you through this change:
● Audit and organize documents: We are reviewing all our managed landlords’ tenancy files to ensure every required document is in place and up to date (tenancy contracts, certificates, deposit info, etc.). Having a complete, orderly file means that if a council asks for something, we can retrieve it quickly on your behalf.
● Proactive compliance checks: Our team tracks key expiration dates (like gas safety renewals, EICR renewals, tenancy renewals) so that nothing slips through the cracks. We’ll remind you or arrange inspections in advance, rather than risking last-minute rushes. This way, all safety certificates and checks are always current.
● Responding to council requests: If a council contacts you or us for information, we will help coordinate the response promptly. As your agent, we can liaise with the council officer and supply the requested documents (since we keep copies of agreements, certificates, etc.). You won’t have to navigate this process alone our compliance team will support you and ensure the council’s questions are answered fully.
● Guidance and updates: We stay informed on the latest regulations and guidance from the Renters’ Reform legislation. Whenever new rules or best practices are clarified (for example, any official guidance on what councils will require), we will update our landlords and provide clear advice. Our goal is that you always know what’s expected and how to meet it, well before any deadline.
● Peace of mind through full management: For those landlords who are currently managing some responsibilities themselves, this is a good time to consider using our full management service. By entrusting us with the day-to-day management, you can be confident that every compliance task is handled correctly and on time, protecting your investment and your peace of mind. As a regulated letting agency, we have systems in place to keep your property within the law, which is especially valuable in this stricter enforcement climate.
Remember, the purpose of these changes is not to punish well intentioned landlords, but to ensure all rentals meet basic legal standards. By working closely with a letting agent, you can navigate the new rules smoothly. In fact, using a reputable agent is now one of the best ways to mitigate risk and stay informed, given the increasing complexity of landlord obligations. We are here to shoulder much of that burden for you. If there are any gaps in your compliance records, we’ll help you fix them now so that by 27 December and beyond you’ll be ready for any council enquiry that comes your way.
Moving Forward
Overall, the new council powers under the Renters (Reform) Bill are a reminder that keeping proper records and staying on top of legal duties is essential for every landlord. The good news is that with a bit of preparation and the support of your letting agent there is no need to be caught off guard. We’re communicating with all our landlords about what to expect, and we’re confident that by the time these changes take effect, our clients will be well prepared and protected.
If you have any questions or need support navigating these changes, feel free to get in touch with us at TRI PROPERT FUSION
