Southwark Council toughens rules for private landlords

Southwark Council has implemented a revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy, introducing more stringent penalties for landlords who do not maintain safe and well-managed properties. This update seeks to elevate housing standards and safeguard the rights of private renters throughout the borough, in line with the Renters Rights Act 2025.

New Powers for Enforcement

The updated policy grants local authorities enhanced investigative powers. These include the ability to issue statutory notices, take emergency action, impose civil penalties, pursue prosecutions, and secure rent repayment orders. For the most serious breaches, banning orders can also be issued against landlords. The council intends to collaborate with responsible landlords to foster improved standards, but will adopt a firm stance against those who pose significant health and safety risks, deliberately break the law, or have a history of non-compliance.

Councillor David Watson, Executive Member for Community Safety and Engagement at Southwark Council, encouraged private tenants facing difficulties with their landlords to contact the local authority. He stated that the new policy provides the council with the necessary tools to advocate more effectively for residents. "If tenants are experiencing harassment or inappropriate behaviour from their landlords, we can step in and enforce against that," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. He added, "Our new policy helps to rebalance the power dynamic between landlords and tenants, so I urge tenants to come forward and speak to the council if they're having issues - we can help."

Impact on Private Renters

The Renters Rights Act 2025 has introduced significant tenancy reforms, such as the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and the restriction of rent increases to once annually. The council anticipates that the new policy will increase confidence among renters, ensuring that complaints regarding unsafe housing, poor management, harassment, or other housing law violations are thoroughly investigated and addressed.

According to the 2021 census, over a quarter of Southwark's population, approximately 86,500 individuals, reside in private rented accommodation. The census data also indicated that more than a quarter of these tenants experience household deprivation, most commonly linked to their housing situation, defined by overcrowding, sharing a dwelling, or lacking central heating. Private renting is the second most prevalent housing tenure in Southwark, following social rent.

How to Get Help

Private tenants in Southwark seeking assistance with 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 home safety standards or advice on the Renters Rights Act 2025, tenants can email the private sector housing enforcement team at resi@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 4090.

The council also confirmed that advice and support will be available for landlords seeking to comply with their legal obligations. Landlords can reach out to tenancy.relations@southwark.gov.uk or call 020 7525 4113 for assistance.