Renters’ Rights Bill could lead to a surge in tenant CCJs
9 months ago | 16 comments
Council powers to inspect landlord homes raises ‘exploitation’ fears
9:38 AM, 22nd July 2025, 9 months ago
9
New powers to carry out surprise inspections of landlord properties have raised fears that they will be ‘exploited’ by councils.
The warning comes from Phil Turtle, a landlord law expert at Landlord Licensing & Defence, who says the sector should be worried.
Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, landlords don’t have to be notified before an inspection takes place.
And that, he says, could lead to law-abiding landlords being hit with unfair financial penalties for minor oversights.
Surprise landlord inspections
Mr Turtle said: “Councils have been carrying out surprise inspections for years, often under the flimsiest of pretexts.
“They claim suspicion of unlicensed properties or breaches of regulations to justify unannounced visits, sometimes arriving at 5am with eight officers dressed in uniforms resembling those of the police.
“These tactics are designed to intimidate tenants, and the Renters’ Rights Bill only legitimises this behaviour, giving councils even more scope to target landlords.”
He highlights that current laws, including the Housing Act 2004 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, already allow councils to enter properties without notice in cases of suspected offences.
These include entering unlicensed properties or looking for breaches of licence conditions.
£40,000 fines for landlords
Previously, landlords were entitled to 24 hours’ notice before inspections, but the legislation removes this requirement.
Now, landlords must be informed within a ‘reasonable amount of time’ after the visit.
Tenants, however, will still receive advance notification.
Mr Turtle warns that the powers are often used to penalise landlords for trivial issues, like incomplete documentation.
However, under the Bill, landlords could be facing fines of up to £40,000.
Won’t tackle rogue landlords
Mr Turtle said: “This has little to do with tackling rogue landlords.
“Councils use these powers daily to penalise landlords who may not have everything 100% perfect.
“It’s a system ripe for abuse, with officers acting like bullies to extract fines.”
He added: “Some even boast they have more powers of entry than the police.”
Mr Turtle says landlords have told him that council officers have pressured tenants with threats of deportation or other repercussions to gain property access.
He said: “Council officers are already overplaying their hand to intimidate tenants and with the new rules, I shudder to think what might happen, but the rules will be exploited.”
Tags:
council powers, housing regulations, landlord fines, landlord inspections, renters rights bill, surprise visits, UK property laws
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Renters' Rights Bill clears the LordsRelated Articles
Councils granted new powers to target landlords in enforcement crackdown
9 months ago | 31 comments
The Renters’ Rights Bill = A direct threat to landlords losing control
9 months ago | 12 comments
Member Since January 2025 - Comments: 57
1:34 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
The last time I paid good money for someone to smash by back doors in wasn’t for an inspection of my property, put it that way!
I sent a plumber round to my property to replace the bath (for the 2nd time in 8 years) but he couldn’t get in as nobody answered. My tenant told me he left his 6 year old to let the plumber in but he fell back asleep. I asked my tenant why he wasn’t his child at at school and just got the usual dismissive answers. (I’m not social services)
By the way, my tenant is a social worker!
Coventry if anyone is wondering
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
8:37 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
the burden of proof will always fall on the council to prove their action was justified if challenged.
I suspect a FOI asking how many times any particular council has actually carried out entry in accordance with the Housing Act 2004 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 in cases of suspected offences will tell you all you need to know.
It costs them a lot in time, effort and cost so they will be looking to make sure any enforcement cannot be challenged etc. Easier to send out letters for blatant breach of licencing and put pressure on for LL to pay.
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1582
8:42 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Suspected offences include benefit fraud.
Councils will be as interested in catching tenants that fraudulently claim housing benefits and Universal Credit as they will be looking to punish landlords.
Of course, if they said this was the main reason for the legislation, it would be unpopular with the gullible fools that Labour need to keep on board.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5
10:00 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Cider Drinker at 22/07/2025 – 08:42
guess what…another reason to not house benefit tenants….
Member Since November 2022 - Comments: 37
9:56 PM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
One of the things with the proposed RRB is how does it affect Landlords who live in the same building as their tenants when it is a converted property? There has always been a differential under the 2004 act! Any response would be gratefully received. Thank you
Member Since November 2021 - Comments: 13
1:28 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Councils should look at their own best practice, particularly when handing out
HMO Licences especially in Labour run communities, the shocking provision they provide by way of accommodation
is truly abysmal, dog homes provide better services.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2197 - Articles: 2
4:24 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Relentlessbashing at 23/07/2025 – 13:28Dog homes are regulated with independent inspectors. Council property seems to be self assessed (or not at all).
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2197 - Articles: 2
4:29 PM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Dog homes are regulated with independent inspectors. Council property seems to be self assessed (or not at all).
Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 225
10:36 PM, 27th July 2025, About 9 months ago
Selective Licensing is a central government scam to make tenants pay for housing services that the local authorities should provide but government isn’t willing to fund, despite the relevant law that provides regulatory obligations. Local authorities have no restrictions on Selecting the whole Borough and no accountability for unjustified selection.
Scam. Another reason not to House.