Bath and North East Somerset Council has raised concerns over the funding of enforcement measures under the new Renter’s Rights Act, which came into effect on May 1. The landmark legislation prohibits no-fault evictions and unfair landlord practices, such as banning pets without valid reasons. Local authorities have been granted new investigatory powers and the authority to impose financial penalties to uphold these tenant protections.
However, councillors warned that while councils now have enforcement responsibilities, dedicated funding to support these activities is insufficient. Matt McCabe, the council’s cabinet member for housing, explained during a scrutiny panel meeting on May 20 that enforcement efforts will likely have to be partly subsidised by the fines collected from landlords found in violation of the act.
“There is some transitional funding, but moving forward, enforcement may need to be financed through prosecution penalties, which is not a sustainable or sensible approach,” McCabe stated.
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Andy Wait, chair of the scrutiny panel, echoed the concerns, adding, “It creates an impression of payment by results, which is not the right message to convey.”
To address enforcement needs during the interim period, Bath and North East Somerset Council is assembling its own team but is currently collaborating with Bristol City Council, which already operates an enforcement unit, to monitor and act against landlord breaches in the area.