Issue - meetings

To consider the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Enforcement Policy.

Cabinet received a report requesting consideration of the proposed Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Enforcement Policy.  The Policy aimed to ensure that effective regulatory action would be taken where landlords failed to comply with their legal obligations and that enforcement powers were applied in a fair, transparent, proportionate and consistent manner.

It was noted that a public consultation exercise was not conducted as much of the policy content related to matters prescribed by the legislation and statutory guidance.  Internal consultation had taken place within the Environmental Health and Licensing and Housing Options services resulting in no changes to the policy were required.  The General Purposes Committee had considered the Policy at its meeting on 14th April 2026 where no additional points or suggestions were made.

Members were pleased that the proposed measures would help to deliver safer and more stable housing for residents within the community and commended the work undertaken by Officers in progressing this locally.  They were also pleased to note that the Council was taking a proactive approach to implementing forthcoming Renters’ Rights legislation, particularly in relation to Section 21 “no?fault” evictions.

It was agreed that there might be some uncertainty regarding the scale of demand arising from these changes.  Officers advised that while it was considered that current resources were sufficient, it would be important to keep capacity under review as the position develops.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the proposed Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Enforcement Policy attached as Appendix A to the report be approved.

2.         That the Policy be recommended to Council for adoption.

Cabinet received a report requesting consideration of the proposed Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Enforcement Policy.  The Policy aimed to ensure that effective regulatory action would be taken where landlords failed to comply with their legal obligations and that enforcement powers were applied in a fair, transparent, proportionate and consistent manner.

Cabinet were advised that the policy provided clarity on the approach the Council would take.  In summary, landlords were expected to be compliant with the law and where non-compliance was established, the Council would normally take formal action.  Informal action might be taken to achieve compliance in the first instance where there were strong reasons for doing so.

Members were pleased to note that for residents, this would mean clearer rights with greater confidence that poor standards would be challenged, and stronger action taken where landlords failed to meet their legal responsibilities.  The Policy set out a more assured and visible approach to enforcement, helping to improve housing conditions, tackle poor practice, and would create a more balanced and accountable private rented sector locally.

It was noted that a public consultation exercise was not conducted as much of the policy content related to matters prescribed by the legislation and statutory guidance.  Internal consultation had taken place within the Environmental Health and Licensing and Housing Options services resulting in no changes to the policy were required.  The General Purposes Committee had considered the Policy at its meeting on 14th April 2026 where no additional points or suggestions were made.

Members were pleased that the proposed measures would help to deliver safer and more stable housing for residents within the community and commended the work undertaken by Officers in progressing this locally.  They were also pleased to note that the Council was taking a proactive approach to implementing forthcoming Renters’ Rights legislation, particularly in relation to Section 21 “no?fault” evictions.

It was agreed that there might be some uncertainty regarding the scale of demand arising from these changes.  Officers advised that while it was considered that current resources were sufficient, it would be important to keep capacity under review as the position develops.

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the proposed Renters’ Rights Act 2025 Enforcement Policy attached as Appendix A to the report be approved.

2.         That the Policy be recommended to Council for adoption.