Local authorities can enter homes and businesses to access rental documents, following the launch of new powers under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Under the new rules, which came into effect at the end of December, council officers can enter homes to investigate illegal evictions, assess property conditions or check whether a landlord is properly registered.
Business premises can also be entered without a warrant if councils need to collect documents relevant to their investigations.
William Reeve, chief executive of Goodlord, welcomed the changes.
He said: ‘[I]n recent days we’ve seen the unofficial start of Renters’ Rights Act implementation. With councils granted stronger investigatory powers as of 27th December, the direction of travel is clear: enforcement will become more proactive and far less forgiving of poor progress.
‘For agents and landlords, [2026] won’t be about reacting to new rules as they land, but demonstrating that robust compliance is already embedded in day-to-day operations.’
Under the legislation, landlords can face civil penalties of up to £7,000 for a single breach, rising to £40,000 for repeated serious offences.
In November 2025, the government published their Investigatory powers guidance for Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the document outlines: ‘Some of these investigatory powers can be used to support local housing authority investigations relating to illegal eviction, poor housing conditions and other housing legislation where they apply to relevant accommodation.’
While the introduction of these powers has been welcomed, Reeve noted that ‘1st May, 2026 may be the key date in everyone’s minds as we head into the new year’.
The majority of changes under the Renters’ Rights Act, including the abolition of Section 21 notices, limits on rent increases and the introduction of monthly rolling contracts, will come into force on 1st May.
Image: Francesco Ungaro/UnSplash
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