Under the new rules, councils can enter offices or premises where tenancy records are stored, seize documents or electronic devices connected to rental agreements, and compel disclosure from anyone linked to a tenancy within the past year.
This includes letting agents, contractors, tradespeople, and even former tenants.
A spokesperson for a Cheshire lettings and estate agent, said: “When the Renters Rights Act became law a few weeks ago, there was a lot of focus on landlords having to be ready for an implementation from May 1st next year.
“While this remains an important milestone, landlords also need to be ready for councils to start using their new investigatory powers which come into effect before the end of this year.
“December is already traditionally a busy time of the year for landlords with a rush to ensure last minute completions and tenancy renewals. Now they face the very real possibility of local authorities flexing their new muscles during festive period.
“We have always advised landlords not to wait for the May 1st deadline and, instead, ensure all their processes and systems are fully compliant as soon as possible. The best approach is to see December 27th as the true deadline rather than delaying until May.”
He warns landlords get their houses in order before new enforcement powers take effect.
The advice is clear: ensure every tenancy file is complete and legally compliant; verify deposit protection, prescribed information, and proof of service; consolidate certificates, safety checks, and licensing documents into a single, watertight folder; confirm that letting agents have fulfilled their obligations — and keep evidence; and identify and resolve any gaps now, while there is still time to do so discreetly.
Further reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act will follow on May 1, 2026, including the abolition of Section 21 “no-fault” evictions and the automatic conversion of all fixed-term tenancies into rolling, periodic agreements.
Landlords who fail to comply with the new regime will be hit with tougher financial penalties, beginning at £7,000 and escalating to as much as £40,000 for the most serious breaches.
Yet readiness remains low. According to the agency’s latest survey, only 7% of landlords in the region consider themselves fully prepared for the Act’s introduction.