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15 April 2026
Issue: 8157 / Categories: Legal News , Landlord&tenant , Local authority , Housing
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Council duties change following Renters’ Rights Act

Local authorities will be legally obliged to make sure landlords are complying with the Renters’ Rights Act 2026 protections for private renters from 1 May

They will have a duty to enforce bans on rental bidding wars, ‘no-fault’ eviction and discrimination against tenants with children or tenants receiving benefits.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said councils will receive £41m extra funds as well as training to ease them into their new role.

Tenants will be able to challenge offences within the past two years, with landlords in breach expected to comply with rent repayment orders of up to two years’ worth of rent.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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