With the emergence of Awaab’s Law and the Renters’ Rights Act, the drive to clamp down on rogue landlords marks a pivotal moment for housing regulation in England – empowering local authorities to step decisively into a more assertive role.
The question now is not whether councils have the powers to act, but how effectively they use them to drive lasting improvements in standards across both social and private rented sectors.
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The social housing sector: Awaab’s Law
Awaab’s Law, officially known as the Hazards in Social Housing (Prescribed Requirements) (England) Regulations 2025 came into force in its first phase on 27 October 2025. It puts social landlords directly into the spotlight - requiring them to investigate and resolve hazards in their tenants’ homes within strict timeframes.
The second stage is set to be rolled out later this year. This phase is more onerous, extending those same obligations to a wider set of hazard categories from the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
Landlords who fail to meet these obligations and are unable to show that they used “all reasonable endeavours”, risk being taken to court. The penalties include from being issued with enforcement orders, being required to pay compensation as well as legal costs and as having to forfeit rent if their properties are deemed uninhabitable.
The private housing sector: Renters’ Rights Act
From 1 May, 11 million private renters will benefit from greater protections from rogue landlords, with councils armed with strengthened duties and powers under the landmark Renters’ Rights Act. These protections include a ban on Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and increased fines of up to £40,000.
To support the implementation of these enforcement measures, the government recently announced additional new burdens funding of £41 million following an initial £18.2 million investment. New burdens funding can be allocated in a variety of ways from investing in professional training and recruiting additional officers to conducting inspections and gathering evidence.
What has led to this increased legislative action?
Under the Housing Act 2004 and the Housing and Planning Act 2016, local councils have the power to enforce housing standards and impose significant fines on landlords in breach of their licenses.
In practice, there seems to be vastly different approaches taken by housing departments in terms of enforcement against poorly performing landlords. Some departments have embraced the rogue landlord legislation and have been very successful in imposing fines and obtaining rent repayment orders. Others have historically been too under-resourced to pursue rogue landlords through the small claims courts. This has led to rogue landlords going unpunished, and tenants left living in squalor or in unsafe homes.
Are there any additional benefits for housing departments?
Yes, some of the fines imposed on rogue landlords can be significant, now up to £40,000 under the new legislation. There is a scale to calculate the level of fines, depending on the severity of the breach.
The money from these fines is returned to the council bringing the action and not a centralised government pot. The funds generated from these fines can be used to give local authorities greater power to enforce standards, for example, by hiring additional staff.
How can Bond Solon help?
Bond Solon has seen a surge in enquiries from councils with the introduction of Awaab’s law and the new enforcement measures under the Renters Right’s Act. Many are using their new burdens funding to enrol their officers on our Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigative Practice (APCIP) and our Rogue Landlord Enforcement course.
Advanced Professional Certificate in Investigative Practice (APCIP)
APCIP is the leading qualification for professionals involved in investigative work. It is awarded by the International Compliance Association (ICA) in association with the Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS) — one of the UK’s most respected postgraduate institutions.
The qualification consists of eight days of training split into four two-day modules. Learners can select the modules most relevant to their investigative role.
Rogue Landlord Enforcement Course
This two-day course is designed for both experienced housing officers and new team members. It covers:
- Core legislation including the Housing Act 2004, Housing and Planning Act 2016, and the new Renters’ Rights Act.
- Enforcement tools such as civil penalties, rent repayment orders, and landlord banning orders.
If you would like to discuss either the APCIP qualification or the rogue landlord enforcement course with a member of our team, please call us on: +44 (0)20 7549 2549 or email info@bondsolon.com.