The National Residential Landlords Association has warned that reforms to the private rented sector will fail unless the government ensures councils have the resources needed to enforce the measures outlined in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
The bill, currently under debate in the House of Lords, includes a decent homes standard for the private rented sector, new measures to tackle dangerous damp and mould, and the creation of a database of private rented housing. However, the NRLA has raised concerns that councils already lack the capacity to enforce existing regulations.
A new report from the NRLA highlights freedom of information data showing that less than half of all fines levied against rogue landlords in England were collected between 2021 and 2023. Additionally, 49% of councils in England failed to issue a single fine against a rogue landlord in the same period.
The Renters’ Rights Bill comes at a time when many councils face severe financial pressures. One in four local authorities in England has indicated they may need emergency government bailouts to avoid bankruptcy. Meanwhile, councils are also expected to manage reforms to local government structures, increase housebuilding, and address the ongoing adult social care crisis.
The NRLA is calling for the government to publish a full assessment of local authority enforcement resources before implementing the bill. It also wants councils to be required to publish an annual report on their enforcement activity in the private rented sector, measures to prevent duplication between the planned database of private landlords and local landlord licensing schemes, and the creation of a chief environmental health officer to drive improvements in enforcement.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, said: “For too long the vast majority of decent, responsible landlords have been tarnished by the actions of a minority of rogue operators failing to provide good enough housing.
“If planned reforms are to work, councils need to up their game at finding and rooting out those who have no place renting property out and making it easier for the law-abiding majority providing decent and safe homes.
“Our report today suggests local authorities will struggle to enforce much of what is in the Renters’ Rights Bill.
“Without further action, the only winners from all this will be the minority of unscrupulous landlords.”
