Until now, councils were required by law to give landlords at least 24 hours’ notice before visiting a residential rental property. The amended bill removes this condition, meaning landlords will now only be informed after an inspection has taken place. However, tenants will still be given the usual notice before any council visit is carried out.

This change aims to address concerns that advance warning gives rogue landlords time to conceal problems within the property, pressure or intimidate tenants into silence, or temporarily patch up issues just to avoid being penalised during an official inspection. Without the notice requirement, local authorities will be able to catch poor practices as they actually exist and respond to complaints more effectively.

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, the minister overseeing the Bill’s progress in the House of Lords, defended the move during a recent parliamentary debate. She explained that councils had shared their frustrations over how the current system can hinder their ability to gather evidence of property neglect or non-compliance. She highlighted examples where landlords used the notice period to remove incriminating items or repair issues only temporarily—making enforcement difficult and enabling continued mistreatment of tenants.

As the amendment has been brought forward by the government itself, it is almost certain to pass through the House of Commons when the Bill returns next week. If approved, the no-notice inspection rule will become part of the final Renters Rights Act and be implemented into law.

The proposal has been welcomed by housing campaigners and regulatory bodies. Among them is the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), which has long advocated for this change. Its president, Mark Elliott, praised the amendment and confirmed that the organisation had consistently raised this issue during consultations and meetings with policymakers.

Elliott pointed out that the 24-hour notice period often leads to landlords showing up at the property during inspections, which can be an uncomfortable or even intimidating experience for tenants—particularly those who have lodged complaints. He argued that surprise visits would allow council officers to speak more freely with tenants, assess the property without interference, and take appropriate action when standards fall short.

This shift is seen as a proactive measure to clamp down on substandard housing and ensure that local authorities have the tools they need to hold landlords accountable. With growing concerns around unsafe or poorly maintained rental accommodation, the government hopes that these changes will improve the quality of life for renters and restore confidence in the private rental market.

Furthermore, this reform sends a clear message that the government is serious about tenant safety, fair treatment, and stronger oversight in the rental sector. By giving councils the power to act without warning, it adds an extra layer of protection for vulnerable tenants who may feel powerless to challenge negligent landlords.

Only time will tell how effectively the new measures will be enforced once the Bill becomes law, but for now, the amendment is being widely praised as a welcome and necessary development in the ongoing effort to improve housing standards across the UK.