A UK council has launched a public consultation inviting tenants and residents to help shape how landlords will be fined for breaching the new Renters’ Rights Act.
Under the legislation, councils can impose civil penalties of up to £7,000 for standard offences and as much as £40,000 for the most serious breaches. The Act also gives local authorities stronger powers to regulate the private rented sector and take enforcement action where landlords fail to meet legal requirements.
Now, Bristol City Council is consulting on how these penalties should be applied locally, including how fines will be calculated and what factors should influence their final level.
A tougher stance on poor standards
Council leaders have made it clear they intend to use the new powers to improve conditions for renters. Green councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the housing committee, said the authority plans to fully embrace the opportunities provided by the Renters’ Rights Act in order to deliver meaningful benefits for tenants.
He explained that the council’s goal is not only to punish poor practice but also to raise standards across the private rented sector. By setting clear financial consequences for non-compliance, the council hopes to encourage landlords to address issues such as safety, licensing and energy efficiency before enforcement becomes necessary.
National guidance with local flexibility
Central government has already issued statutory guidance outlining suggested starting levels for different types of offences. This guidance also lists aggravating and mitigating factors that councils must take into account, such as whether a landlord has previous convictions, how serious the breach is, and whether tenants were put at risk.
Bristol’s draft policy largely follows this national framework but allows room for local discretion in certain areas. These include offences linked to licence conditions and breaches of electrical safety regulations, where councils can decide appropriate starting points for fines depending on the circumstances of each case.
This approach is designed to ensure penalties are fair, proportionate and consistent, while still giving enforcement officers the flexibility to deal with complex or repeat offences.
Why a new civil penalty policy is needed
The council says a formal civil penalty policy is essential to support officers who investigate complaints and enforce housing standards. The draft document sets out how penalties would be assessed and how discretionary factors would be interpreted on a case-by-case basis.
Tom Gilchrist, head of private housing services, told councillors that the new framework will provide clarity for both landlords and tenants. It will also help ensure decisions are transparent and defensible if challenged.
He added that, so far, there is no evidence that landlords are leaving the market in large numbers or that homelessness has risen as a direct result of the abolition of Section 21 evictions. However, he acknowledged that smaller landlords with one or two properties may find it harder to keep up with the growing list of compliance requirements.
Consultation open until March
The council is now encouraging tenants, landlords and members of the public to share their views on the proposed policy. The consultation runs until 30 March and can be completed online through the council’s website.
Responses will be used to refine the final policy before it is formally adopted. The council says it wants to hear from renters in particular, as their experiences will help shape how enforcement priorities are set in the future.
Reminder for landlords on licensing rules
Alongside the consultation, landlords in Bristol are being reminded to check whether their properties require a licence. Properties that are rented out without the correct licence can already face prosecution, unlimited fines or a Civil Penalty Notice of up to £30,000.
From 1 May, the maximum civil penalty will rise to £40,000 when the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is fully implemented. The council says this increase underlines the seriousness of non-compliance and reflects the government’s intention to crack down on unsafe or poorly managed rental homes.
Balancing enforcement and support
While the council is signalling a tougher approach, it has also stressed that the aim is not simply to punish landlords. Officials say the new policy should help identify where education or guidance is needed, particularly for smaller landlords who may struggle with complex regulations.
The wider ambition is to create a fairer rental market in which responsible landlords are supported and tenants are protected from unsafe or substandard accommodation.
A shift in housing policy
The move highlights a broader shift in housing policy towards stronger tenant protections and more robust enforcement at local level. By involving tenants directly in the consultation process, the council is seeking to ensure that the system reflects real experiences in the private rented sector.
Once the consultation closes, feedback will be reviewed and a final civil penalty policy will be put in place later this year. This will determine how fines are issued and how the council exercises its expanded powers under the Renters’ Rights Act.
For renters, the changes promise stronger safeguards and a clearer route for action when standards fall short. For landlords, the message is equally clear: compliance with housing laws is no longer optional, and penalties for getting it wrong are set to become significantly more severe.
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