A significant number of councils in England have not taken action against landlords over the past three years, despite receiving approximately 300,000 complaints from tenants regarding poor living conditions. Reports indicate that nearly half of local authorities involved in housing have not fined any landlords during this period, and over a third have not initiated any formal actions against landlords operating unlawfully.
Data reveals that councils prosecuted only 640 landlords and issued around 4,700 civil penalty notices (CPNs), resulting in less than 2% of tenant complaints leading to formal enforcement. The 252 councils that responded to a freedom of information request reported fines totaling £26.4 million from 2022 to 2024; however, the number of punished landlords has remained largely unchanged.
Out of the few landlords prosecuted, only 16 were banned from renting properties, with eight situated in London. Under the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act, authorities will be mandated to enforce regulations aimed at addressing rogue landlords starting from May 1, 2026. Nevertheless, local councillors have raised concerns that budget cuts have severely depleted housing enforcement teams, potentially undermining the effectiveness of the new legislation.
Experts indicate that without sustained funding, councils may be limited in their ability to enforce these new rights. An announcement of £18 million in funding from the government is viewed as insufficient to cover the enforcement demands expected from the new law. Officials emphasize that any successful implementation requires adequate resources to support local councils in holding landlords accountable.
The Ministry of Housing has acknowledged the need for improvement in enforcement rates, stating that everyone deserves a safe living environment. The new legislation aims to compel councils to address violations more rigorously, but the realization of these reforms may hinge on the provision of substantial and ongoing funding.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/nov/16/two-thirds-of-english-councils-have-not-prosecuted-a-single-landlord-in-past-three-years