“Raising funds for enforcement is a challenge we need to address,” said Manchester’s housing lead Gavin White earlier this winter. From 1 May 2026, councils across the North will be legally required to enforce the Renters’ Rights Act as Section 21 ‘no‑fault’ evictions are abolished. (theguardian.com)

Ministers confirmed today (14 April 2026) an extra £41.12m for local authorities, taking the total ‘new burdens’ pot to £60m for all 317 councils to stand up enforcement of the Act’s first phase. The package sits alongside up to £50m to modernise civil courts and a £5m annual uplift for housing legal aid. The measures are billed to support protections for around 11 million private renters. (gov.uk)

Councils will move from guidance to duty. From 1 May, authorities must act against banned practices including rental bidding wars and discrimination against families and tenants on benefits. Civil penalties for serious or repeat breaches rise to a maximum £40,000, while rent repayment orders can now cover up to two years’ rent and look back two years. (gov.uk)

The case for tougher action is stark in northern regions. The Northern Housing Consortium reports that 31% of private rented homes in Yorkshire and the Humber and 27% in the North West are classed as non‑decent. Private renters in the North West spend over 30% of their income on rent, with Yorkshire and the Humber close behind at 28%. (believehousing.co.uk)

Some councils here have already turned the dial. Leeds introduced selective licensing in designated wards in February, adding capacity to target poor conditions, and the city has kept up prosecutions against non‑compliant landlords. Liverpool’s scheme has been running since 2022, with continued inspections and enforcement. (leeds.gov.uk)

Even so, capacity remains the pressure point. A Guardian analysis found two‑thirds of councils in England had not prosecuted a single landlord in the three years to 2024, though Leeds bucked the trend with a higher formal action rate. As Sheffield’s council leader Tom Hunt put it, the lack of action to date is “stark”, while Manchester’s Gavin White warned funding the step‑up is “a challenge”. (theguardian.com)

For renters, day‑to‑day changes will be tangible. New and existing private tenancies become assured periodic, rent increases are capped at once a year via Section 13, and tenants can ask to keep a pet with a prompt written response required. Landlords and agents will be barred from asking for more than one month’s rent in advance, or from accepting offers above the advertised rent. (gov.uk)

For landlords, the message is to get compliant and document it. Councils have new investigatory powers - in force since 27 December 2025 - to enter, inspect, demand records and request third‑party information where offences are suspected. Repeat offenders face tougher rent repayment orders and higher civil penalties; councils must also begin reporting enforcement activity. (gov.uk)

Justice and advice are meant to move quicker too. The Ministry of Justice is investing up to £50m to digitise civil processes, while a £5m annual uplift supports housing legal aid so renters can still access free help if they face possession action. Government guidance for councils and landlords has been published ahead of the switchover. (gov.uk)

Phase 2 will follow from late 2026 with a national Private Rented Sector Database and a mandatory Landlord Ombudsman, with reforms extending to social renting in 2027. A modernised Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law for the private sector are planned after consultation. For northern households, the law now moves from paper to practice - and we’ll be tracking how well the funding powers real‑world enforcement street by street. (gov.uk)