Burnham’s record in Greater Manchester gives us some clues

As Mayor, he has taken a very active role in housing. Greater Manchester introduced the Good Landlord Charter, described as a voluntary scheme to raise standards across both the private and social rented sectors. It is free to join, but it is not just a badge. The Charter has criteria across areas including affordability, safety, repairs, management, complaints, inspections and support for residents. It is designed to help landlords go beyond the minimum legal standard.

That phrase matters: beyond the minimum legal standard

For many landlords, that may sound worrying. However, there is another way to look at it. Professional landlords and agents already know that the minimum legal standard is no longer enough. The real question is not, “have I got a gas certificate?” it is, “could I evidence that this property is being properly managed, inspected, maintained and communicated about?”

That is the world landlords are moving into.

Greater Manchester’s approach has been described as a twin-track model: recognising good landlords while taking stronger action against poor ones. The Good Landlord Charter has been promoted as a way of raising standards across the rented sector, while enforcement activity has also increased.

That tells us something important. Burnham’s model is not simply “anti-landlord”. It is much more targeted than that. The message appears to be: good landlords are welcome, but poor standards will be pursued more aggressively.

This is where the fines become interesting

Greater Manchester has reported significant civil penalties issued by local authorities over recent years, with enforcement activity linked to the wider push to improve private rented housing standards. I have not found a reliable public figure for the exact number of individual fines behind the published total, which is worth saying clearly. But the direction is obvious: enforcement is becoming a real financial risk.

And this is not just a Manchester issue.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, local authorities have stronger enforcement powers. Penalties can be significant, and the expectation is that councils will have more tools to deal with landlords who fail to meet their obligations.

That is a major shift. Historically, many landlords have assumed enforcement was unlikely unless something had gone badly wrong. That may no longer be a safe assumption.

So what should landlords look out for?

First, expect greater interest in property condition.

The days of waiting for a resident to complain and then dealing with the problem informally are fading. Damp, mould, electrical issues, heating, ventilation, structural problems, fire safety and general hazards are all likely to receive more scrutiny. A good inspection record is no longer just helpful; it is protective.

Second, watch for a stronger focus on written evidence.

Landlords will need to show what was done, when it was done, who was told, what advice was given, what repairs were arranged and how quickly action was taken. A verbal conversation may be kind, but it is not a compliance record. A WhatsApp message may feel easy, but it can also create problems if it is unclear or informal.

Third, rent increases will need care.

Burnham has previously supported stronger intervention on rents, including calls for rent-freeze or rent-control-style measures during the cost-of-living crisis. Whether that becomes national policy is another question entirely. But landlords should assume that rent increases will be watched more closely, especially where they are not supported by clear market evidence.

That does not mean landlords should stop reviewing rent. In fact, the opposite may be true. Large, irregular increases can create more tension than smaller, evidence-based annual reviews. A professional rent review process, supported by local comparable evidence, is likely to be far safer than waiting several years and then trying to make up the difference in one go.

Fourth, watch taxation.

The PRS has already been hit over the last decade by mortgage interest restrictions, higher stamp duty and tighter regulation. Burnham has been linked with ideas around property taxation, land value tax and council tax reform. None of this should be treated as confirmed policy for landlords today, but it is an area to watch closely because tax changes can affect the decision to hold, sell, refinance or invest.

The practical message for Cambridgeshire landlords is simple

Do not wait for another political announcement before getting your house in order.

At Maxine Lester, we have always said that letting property is a long game. It is not just about finding a resident and collecting the rent. It is about protecting the asset, protecting the income, protecting the resident and protecting the landlord from avoidable risk.

The Greater Manchester example shows what may be coming nationally: more recognition for landlords who do things properly, but more consequences for those who do not.

So, what should landlords do now?

The answer is not to wait and see. The answer is to get ahead.

Start with a full compliance audit. Check the tenancy paperwork, deposit protection, prescribed information, gas safety, EICR, EPC, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, Right to Rent records, rent review process, inspection history and repair logs. Then look at the property itself. Are there early signs of damp? Is ventilation adequate? Are repairs being properly resolved, or just patched? Has every resident concern been recorded, followed up and evidenced?

Then ask yourself the question every landlord should now be asking…

If the council asked to see my file tomorrow, would I be confident handing it over?

If the answer is anything other than a clear yes, now is the time to act.

At Maxine Lester, we help landlords make sure their properties are not only let, but properly protected. We check the detail, highlight the risks, and help put the right processes in place before a problem becomes a penalty.

The Greater Manchester example shows us where the private rented sector is heading: more enforcement, higher expectations and less tolerance for landlords who cannot prove they are doing things properly.

But for good landlords, this is not something to fear. It is an opportunity to stand out.

Well-managed, compliant properties will still be needed. Good residents will still want good homes. And landlords who take a professional approach will be far better placed than those who hope the rules will not catch up with them.

So don’t wait for the next political announcement, the next council inspection or the next repair complaint.

Get your property file reviewed. Get your compliance checked. Get your management process tightened up.

Because in the new world of lettings, being a landlord is not just about owning a property.

It is about being able to prove you are managing it properly.

If you are a landlord in St Ives, Cambridge, Huntingdon, Ely or the surrounding Cambridgeshire area and you are unsure whether your property would pass that test, speak to Maxine Lester. We can help you understand where you stand, what needs attention, and how to protect your investment before enforcement becomes expensive.

The landlords who act now will be the ones best placed for what comes next.