Draft Housing Enforcement Policy 2026: tenancy reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act

Feedback updated 18 Sep 2026

We asked

We recently carried out a six-week consultation and asked your views on the draft Housing Enforcement Policy. This relates to the new tenancy rules in the private rented sector. The Renters’ Rights Act requires the Council to enforce the new rules and have a policy explaining how it will do this. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback.

We consulted with residents and stakeholders through an online survey and engagement activities.

The online survey asked four questions:

Do you find the policy clear and easy to understand overall?

Do you support the main aims of the policy?

Is there anything you expected to see in the policy which is not there?

Do you have any other comments about the policy?

We received 20 responses through the online survey.

You said

60% found the policy clear and easy to understand overall

50% of respondents supported the main aims of the policy

40% expected to see something in the policy which was not there.

There were a range of views expressed during the consultation:

About 64% of comments related to disagreeing with the legislation generally, rather than the policy specifically

This included views on the duty placed on councils to enforce the rules and the perceived negative impact of the Act on the private rented sector

Some landlords asked for clarification about specific tenancy rules

Some respondents said the policy was too legalistic and should have more plain English, and others said it lacked enough detail, such as the protection given to vulnerable tenants.

We did

The feedback from the consultation has helped us to finalise the policy, which you can find here:

In terms of landlords wanting clarification on specific tenancy rules, this information is available in the government’s guidance for landlords. A link to the government’s housing hub is available on the Council’s website

In response to concerns that the policy was too legalistic, we produced a plain-English summary of the policy. This makes the aims of the policy and how it works easier to understand

We highlighted that tenant vulnerability may justify increasing a financial penalty above the starting point.

Results updated 18 Sep 2026

Files:

Housing enforcement policy: Renters' rights act consultation report, 617.0 KB (PDF document)

Overview

We want to hear your views on our new draft Housing Enforcement Policy.

The Renters’ Rights Act comes into force on 1 May 2026 and introduces changes to private rented sector (PRS) tenancies. This includes:

End of section 21 “no fault” evictions: Landlords will no longer be able to use a section 21 notice to end a tenancy.

Introduction of assured periodic tenancies: These will replace assured shorthold tenancies and roll on a monthly basis with no fixed end date – renters will be able to end the tenancy at any point by giving two months’ notice.

Reform of possession grounds so they are fair for both parties: Landlords will only be able to evict tenants when they have a valid reason.

Limit rent increases to once a year in line with the market rate: Landlords must give tenants at least two months' notice of a rent increase.

Ban rental bidding and asking for more than one month’s rent in advance: It will be illegal to invite or accept bids above the advertised rent.

End to discrimination: It will be illegal to discriminate against renters who have children or receive benefits.

Right to request a pet: Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to have a pet.

The Council will have a new responsibility to enforce these rules where landlords do not comply with them. We want to support the majority of good landlords operating in our borough to comply with the new rules, while holding to account the minority of those who do not.

The new enforcement policy explains how we will enforce these new rules. This includes imposing a civil penalty (fine) or pursuing a criminal prosecution where a landlord commits a breach or offence.

The starting points for the level of civil penalties are stated in the government’s statutory guidance. The policy outlines the steps we will take, and factors we will consider, when deciding on the final level of a civil penalty.

The new policy will complement the existing Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, which explains how we use enforcement powers for non-compliance with current rules relating to housing conditions and property management.

The draft policy is based on a model civil penalty policy endorsed by the Association of Chief Environmental Health Officers (ACEHO) and used by other councils. The current Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy is also based on this model policy.

Your browser does not support inline PDF viewing. Please download the PDF.

If you require assistance in another language or a paper copy of the survey sent to you, please contact us on housingpolicy@rbkc.gov.uk or 020 7361 2146.

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