£41 MILLION BOOST FOR COUNCIL ENFORCEMENT — LANDLORDS TAKE NOTE
The Government has just announced a further £41m in funding for local authorities to ramp up enforcement against non-compliant landlords — ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act coming into force on 1st May 2026.
This is not just another policy update — it’s a clear shift towards proactive, well-funded enforcement across the Private Rented Sector.
What’s changing?
All 317 councils receiving funding to increase enforcement activity
Expanded investigatory powers already in place
Fines of up to £40,000 per breach
Crackdown on:
- Rental bidding wars
- Tenant discrimination
- “No-fault” evictions
The reality
Historically, enforcement has been inconsistent:
- £30m in penalties issued
- Only £7.5m collected
This funding is designed to close that gap
And the direction of travel is clear:
More inspections. More scrutiny. More accountability.
What this means for Landlords
This is the moment where compliance moves from:
“something to deal with when needed”
to
“a fully managed, auditable requirement”
Because enforcement is no longer reactive — it’s becoming:
- Data-driven
- Portfolio-focused
- Legally robust
The risk is no longer isolated
Landlords are now exposed across multiple compliance areas at once:
- EPCs
- EICRs
- Gas Safety (CP12)
- Fire Risk Assessments
- Legionella Risk Assessments
- MEES obligations
A failure in any one area can now trigger enforcement.
Where EPC Choice fits in
At EPC Choice, we’re seeing a clear shift in how professional landlords operate.
It’s no longer about “getting a certificate done” — it’s about having a defensible compliance position across your entire portfolio.
Our role is simple:
- Centralise compliance
- Ensure audit-ready documentation
- Deliver nationwide coverage at scale
- Keep landlords ahead of regulatory change
Bottom line
This funding sends a clear message: enforcement is coming — and it’s being properly resourced.
The landlords who adapt early will:
- Avoid penalties
- Reduce operational risk
- Stay ahead of legislative change
- Those who don’t… will feel it.
If you want a portfolio compliance review ahead of May 2026, get in touch.