New policies under the Renters' Rights Act include increased fines for landlords, which are hoped to benefit tenants. However, concerns have been raised regarding the collection of these penalties.
Data compiled from Freedom of Information requests indicates that between 2023/24 and 2024/25, English local councils issued nearly £30 million in civil penalties to private landlords. Of this amount, approximately £22.3 million, or about 75%, reportedly went uncollected. Only around £7.5 million was successfully recovered.