Cabinet to discuss new protections for renters and penalties for rogue landlords
Better protections for local renters and penalties for rogue landlords could be adopted by St Helens Borough Council next week, as it moves to meet new duties and changes to law in the private rental sector.
Article date: 28 August 2026
A new Housing Enforcement Policy and Civil Financial Penalty Policy will be presented to cabinet on Wednesday 2 September, with members asked to approve the adoption of both.
The move would allow the council to meet its additional duties and legislative reform under the Renters Rights Act, which came into effect in May, bringing forward new standards and responsibilities for landlords, stronger enforcement tools for councils, and better protections for renters.
The Housing Enforcement Policy would provide housing officers with guidance on the use of their investigatory and enforcement powers under the Renters Rights Act.
Marking a departure from the current escalating approach to private rental problems, which reserves enforcement as a last resort, The Renters Rights Act introduced an immediate duty to enforce new offences, meaning that landlords in breach of their duties could receive fines without warning.
And fines will be significant, starting at £3,000 (for example for failures to provide information) and reaching £40,000 for specific offences like unlawful eviction.
Changes to these penalty charge amounts and their use are detailed in the updated Civil Financial Penalty Policy, providing transparency for landlords and helping to raise housing standards.
Councillor Sharon Roughley, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said:
"The Renters Rights Act introduces significant changes for both tenants and landlords, and it is important that everyone understands their rights and responsibilities under the new legislation.
"The vast majority of private landlords in St Helens Borough provide good quality homes and play an important role in meeting local housing demand. However, where properties fail to meet required standards or where regulations are not followed, the council must have the ability to act.
"Our focus will be on ensuring that the law is applied fairly, consistently and proportionately. Tenants should be able to live in safe and decent homes, while responsible landlords should have confidence that enforcement activity is targeted at poor practice rather than those who are already meeting their obligations.
"As these changes are implemented, the council will provide clear guidance and support to help both tenants and landlords understand the new requirements and what they mean in practice."
The changes include:
- No more "no-fault" evictions, giving tenants greater security in their homes.
- Fairer possession rules that protect tenants while allowing landlords to reasonably reclaim properties.
- Better protection against unfair rent hikes designed to force tenants out.
- Tenants have stronger rights to keep pets, and landlords cannot unreasonably refuse requests.
- Landlords and agents can no longer discriminate against tenants with children or those receiving benefits.
- Rental bidding wars are banned, so landlords cannot accept offers above the advertised rent.
- A new landlord database will improve transparency, support compliance, and help councils target enforcement.
Some of these changes were brought in in May while others will be introduced gradually - with a timeline detailed in the cabinet report.
Full guidance for landlords and tenants is available online: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/