Renters’ Rights Act: why owners with us can breathe easy while enforcement gets tougher
The announcement of a 1 May 2026 start date for the Renters’ Rights Act is already sending shockwaves across certain parts of the private rented sector — and rightly so.
My real hope it that enforcement does highlight the landlords that rent out non-compliant houses, and they are forced to improve standards, or they leave the market. Sadly, I think I am being naïve as there will always be people that operate under the radar.
A recent survey has suggested at 82% of owners do not use an agent. And it is this 82% that are only just beginning to realise the Act is far more than tenancy reform. What’s coming is a new era of regulation, tougher enforcement and significantly higher financial risk for anyone renting out a substandard home.
But here’s the crucial message:
If your property is managed by the Maxine Lester team, you are already protected. We take on the compliance burden, and we have strengthened our safety programme to ensure you stay safely ahead of the new rules — and the penalties they bring.
Why owners are right to worry, and why ours don’t need to
The Act will introduce a new Decent Homes Standard and an ‘upgraded’ Housing Health & Safety Rating System (HHSRS). Government calls it clearer and simpler. What it really means is:
- tougher inspections
- fewer grey areas
- fewer excuses
- and far more robust enforcement
From next May, councils will no longer have discretion to enforce the rules. They will have a duty to enforce these rules and they’ve been given the tools, funding and motivation to do it. Most owners in the 82% bracket simply aren’t prepared for the shift that’s coming because the media has only been highlighting the abolition of section 21 they have not been talking about enforcement.
But Maxine Lester owners have us — and that changes everything.
The enforcement landscape has changed
Within days of Royal Assent, councils received their marching orders and a pack of new powers. These include the ability to:
- demand detailed information from owners, agents, banks and contractors
- enter business premises
- in defined situations, enter homes to check compliance
- seize documents and computers simply on suspicion
- issue fines starting at £7,000 and reaching £40,000
- pursue or support rent repayment orders worth up to 24 months’ rent
This is enforcement on a scale many Owners have never encountered and in some cases with powers that exceed those of the police. But one question that is not being asked is are the councils prepared and able to use the powers?
How we protect our owners, and why our approach is different
If you work with us, we take the responsibility, and the liability, of compliance off your shoulders. That’s why we’ve been preparing for this legislation since 2019, long before government finalised the Act.
We’ve strengthened our safety compliance visit
This visit now ensures that every home we manage:
- meets the new Decent Homes expectations
- is checked thoroughly for emerging HHSRS hazards
- has the correct documentation, certificates and service history
- is prepared for council scrutiny long before it appears
But this hasn’t been a tick-box exercise. We have put in structured, methodical and evidence-based protection for you — the kind of protection that most agents simply do not offer.
Why owners trust our approach
- We are specialists in lettings only — not distracted by sales.
- We are known for our Expert, Honourable and Personal support.
- We’ve been protecting owners from regulatory risk for nearly 20 years.
- Our systems are designed so you can sleep at night, knowing your property stands up to inspection.
- This is not the industry standard — but it is the Maxine Lester standard.
The logic is simple: higher compliance = lower risk
When councils gain new powers, the safest place to be is with an agent who has already built systems around those powers.
Our strengthened compliance programme means:
- fewer surprises
- reduced liability
- fully documented evidence
- protection against fines, claims and rent repayment orders
- peace of mind that your investment is secure
The action is ours. The benefit — the safety, the certainty, the stress removed — is yours.
It’s already working
Owners regularly tell us that the reassurance we provide is the reason they stay in the private rented sector. We’ve already helped owners avoid potential enforcement action where missing documents, deteriorating conditions or overlooked safety checks could have led to penalties.
Our method works because it’s built on experience, attention to detail and a deep understanding of the legislation — both existing and incoming.
If you’re with us, you’re protected. If you’re not, now is the time
Many owners this Christmas will be questioning whether the risks still justify staying in the rental market, but owners with us don’t need to feel that pressure. You have a team whose sole purpose is to keep you and your property safe.
If your property isn’t yet fully managed by us, or if you’re unsure whether you’re protected under the new Act, we are here to help.
Book a no-obligation compliance review with our team
Let us show you exactly where you stand — and how we can keep you safely on the right side of the law. Book now.
