Councils Granted New Powers to Enforce the Renters Rights Act

Following the Renters Rights Act receiving Royal Assent on the 27th October 2025 at 7:40pm, the Government has moved swiftly to introduce new investigatory powers for local housing authorities across England.

These measures, which come into force on December 27th, 2025, are intended to strengthen enforcement of the Act — ensuring compliance across the private rented sector and tackling illegal practices.

The reforms mark a decisive shift in how the Government expects local authorities to monitor and regulate letting activity. While aimed at protecting tenants from poor housing conditions and unlawful evictions, they also introduce new risks and obligations for letting agents and landlords who may come under investigation.

According to the official guidance, councils will be able to use enhanced enforcement tools to investigate suspected breaches of rental legislation — including illegal evictions, substandard housing, or failure to comply with the Renters Rights Act.

Among the most significant new powers are the ability to:

• Enter business premises to request or seize documents where they reasonably believe a rental sector business is being operated.

• Request information from individuals or organisations relevant to an ongoing investigation.

• Enter residential premises, if specially authorised, for the purpose of gathering evidence related to housing offences.

These powers may be exercised with or without a warrant, depending on the nature of the case and the evidence required.

Under Sections 118 and 121 of the Renters Rights Act, enforcement officers can enter a business property “at a reasonable time” to inspect records or seize documents that may assist an investigation.

Once inside, officers have the authority to:

• Seize and detain documentation they reasonably suspect could be required as evidence in future proceedings;

• Request cooperation from individuals or staff present during the visit;

• Demonstrate proof of identity and authority before taking any materials — though this requirement can be waived if not “reasonably practicable.”

These measures effectively extend local authority oversight into the operational side of the lettings industry, similar to other regulated sectors such as financial services and housing enforcement.

For professional letting agencies and landlords, these new powers underscore the importance of transparent record-keeping, accurate tenancy documentation, and full compliance with all housing legislation.

Key recommendations include:

• Ensuring all tenancy agreements, notices, and correspondence are stored securely and up to date.

• Keeping clear audit trails for rent payments, deposit registrations, and maintenance records.

• Reviewing internal processes to confirm that all activities comply with the Renters Rights Act 2025 and related regulations.

• Ensuring staff and contractors understand their legal obligations when representing a rental business.

At Stewarts Estates, we maintain comprehensive documentation and compliance processes on behalf of our landlords, ensuring that all records are ready for inspection should enforcement authorities ever require access.

The Government’s full guidance, titled “Investigatory Powers Guidance for Renters Rights Act 2025,” provides detailed instruction for local authorities on how these powers should be used.

You can read the full official document here:
🔗 Investigatory Powers Guidance for Renters Rights Act 2025

These new measures come at a time of heightened scrutiny in the rental sector, following the most substantial reform to tenancy law in decades. As enforcement activity increases, it’s essential that landlords and agents remain informed, compliant, and prepared.

As an independent letting and property management agency covering Bournemouth, Poole, and Christchurch, we’re committed to helping our clients stay ahead of regulatory change.

Our team will continue to monitor all updates relating to the Renters Rights Act 2025 and ensure that every property we manage meets the new legal and procedural standards expected by the Government.

If you would like to discuss how these new enforcement powers could affect your property or portfolio, please contact us for tailored advice and support.