Two-thirds of councils have not prosecuted a single landlord in past three years: report

According to the report, from 2022 to 2024, nearly half of local authorities responsible for housing did not fine a landlord, while more than a third did not issue any formal action against people letting out homes unlawfully in the private rental sector.

Councils prosecuted just 640 landlords and issued 4,702 civil penalty notices (CPNs) – meaning fewer than 2% of tenant complaints led to formal enforcement of any kind.

The 252 councils that responded to the FOI request issued private landlords with £26.4m in fines from 2022 to 2024.

However, of the rogue landlords prosecuted by councils over the past three years, only 16 have been banned from letting homes – eight of them in London.

From May next year, councils will be obliged to enforce new legislation to clamp down on rogue landlords.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, landlords will no longer be able to serve private renters with a Section 21 ‘no-fault’ eviction notice.

Tenants will also be able to appeal excessive above-market rent increases that try to force them out and landlords can no longer unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to have a pet.

Councils across England will be legally responsible for overseeing these new rights from 1 May 2026, backed by stronger enforcement powers.

This includes tougher fines of up to £7,000 for breaches, rising up to £40,000 if landlords repeatedly or continue to breach the rules or commit a serious offence.

Further, tenants or local authorities will be able to seek rent repayment orders, forcing landlords to pay back rent for offences.

According to The Guardian’s analysis, although Birmingham City Council received the third highest number of complaints of any council in England (12,002), it has not prosecuted any landlords since 2022 and raised £99,065 from fines – a formal enforcement rate of 0.38%.

On the other hand, Leeds City Council received 2,797 complaints but prosecuted 24 landlords, issued 770 CPNs and banned one rogue landlord, meaning 28% of tenant complaints resulted in formal action.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Birmingham City Council have been approached for comment.

Lottie Winson