Southwark Council toughens landlord enforcement policy
New measures aim to protect private renters and tackle rogue landlords following the Renters Rights Act 2025.
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Southwark Council has implemented an updated Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy designed to impose more stringent penalties on landlords who fail to maintain safe and well-managed properties for private tenants. The policy aims to enhance housing standards and safeguard the rights of renters across the borough.
New Powers and Approach
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Local authorities are now equipped with expanded investigative powers, enabling them to undertake enforcement actions such as issuing statutory notices, taking emergency measures, imposing civil penalties, pursuing prosecutions, and securing rent repayment orders and banning orders against serious offenders. The council stated it will continue to collaborate with responsible landlords to elevate standards. However, a firm approach will be adopted for cases involving significant health and safety risks, intentional legal breaches, or a history of non-compliance by landlords.
Councillor David Watson, Southwark Council's Executive Member for Community Safety and Engagement, encouraged private tenants facing landlord issues to contact the council. He stated, "We want to be a champion for our residents and this new policy gives us the tools and the powers to be able to fight their corner more effectively." He added, "If tenants are experiencing harassment or inappropriate behaviour from their landlords, we can step in and enforce against that." According to Councillor Watson, the new policy helps to rebalance the power dynamic between landlords and tenants.
Impact of the Renters Rights Act 2025
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The updated policy incorporates additional responsibilities introduced by the Renters Rights Act 2025. This legislation includes major tenancy reforms such as the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and a restriction on rent increases to once per year. Southwark Council anticipates that the policy will foster greater confidence among renters, ensuring that complaints regarding unsafe housing conditions, poor property management, harassment, or other breaches of housing law are thoroughly investigated and addressed.
Data from the 2021 census indicates that 86,500 Southwark residents, representing over a quarter of the borough's population, reside in private rented accommodation. The census also revealed that more than a quarter of private rental tenants experience household deprivation, most commonly linked to housing issues such as overcrowding, living in a shared dwelling, or lacking central heating. Private renting is the second most common housing tenure in Southwark, following social rent.
How Renters Can Get Help
Private tenants in Southwark seeking assistance or advice regarding tenancy agreements, landlord harassment, threats, or eviction notices can contact the council's tenancy relations service via email at tenancy.relations@southwark.gov.uk or by calling 020 7525 4113. For concerns about a home not meeting basic standards or for advice on the new rules under the Renters Rights Act 2025, tenants can email the private sector housing enforcement team at resi@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 4090.
Southwark Council also confirmed that advice, guidance, and support will be made available to landlords who are seeking to comply with their legal obligations. Landlords can reach out to tenancy.relations@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 4113 for assistance.
Questions this report answers
+What is the new Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy?
Southwark Council has updated its policy to introduce tougher sanctions for landlords who fail to provide safe and well-managed homes. This aligns with the Renters Rights Act 2025 and aims to improve standards and protect tenants' rights.
+How does the Renters Rights Act 2025 affect private renters?
The Act includes significant tenancy reforms such as abolishing Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and limiting rent increases to once per year. The council's new policy incorporates these changes to better support renters.
+How can private tenants in Southwark report issues with their landlord?
Tenants experiencing problems like harassment, threats, or unsafe conditions can contact Southwark Council's tenancy relations service at tenancy.relations@southwark.gov.uk or 020 7525 4113. For housing standards concerns, email resi@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 4090.
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