Briefing Councillors on PRS Enforcement: Key Messages

Elected members control budgets, set strategic priorities, and answer to constituents. Without their understanding and support, PRS enforcement teams will struggle to secure resources, justify enforcement action, and deliver the outcomes that tenants need. Yet many councillors have limited awareness of the PRS enforcement framework, the tools available, and the scale of the challenge in their ward. The Renters' Rights Act 2025, the PRS Database, and the £18.2 million enforcement fund create a timely opportunity to brief councillors on what is changing, what it means for their constituents, and what the council needs to do.

Start with the local picture. Councillors respond to their ward, not national statistics. Prepare ward-level data showing: - The estimated number of PRS properties in each ward - The number of known HMOs and licensing compliance rates - Complaint volumes by ward - Enforcement actions taken in the past 12 months - Known problem landlords or properties National context helps frame the local data: 4.6 million PRS households in England, an estimated 500,000 HMOs, and only 2% of non-compliant landlords facing enforcement action. The contrast between the scale of non-compliance and the level of enforcement activity makes the case for investment. Avoid jargon. Councillors do not need to know about HHSRS scoring methodology; they need to know that homes in their ward are making people ill and the council has the power to fix it.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Royal Assent 27 October 2025) introduces three changes that councillors should understand: 1. Section 21 abolition: Tenants can no longer be evicted without a reason. This is the most publicly visible change and will generate constituent enquiries. Councillors should know that this applies to all assured tenancies and that landlords can still use reformed Section 8 grounds. 2. The PRS Database: From late 2026, all landlords must register. The council will be able to see every rental property in the borough for the first time. This transforms enforcement capability but requires investment in systems and staff to exploit the data. 3. The PRS Ombudsman: All landlords must join. Tenants get a new complaints route. The council must enforce Ombudsman membership. This changes the complaints landscape and requires coordination between the council and the Ombudsman. Present these changes as opportunities, not burdens. Section 21 abolition will make tenants more willing to report problems. The PRS Database will make enforcement more efficient. The Ombudsman will handle service complaints that currently fall to the council.

Councillors care about budgets. The enforcement funding message should cover: The £18.2 million national enforcement fund: The council can access this to build capacity. Explain how much has been allocated or applied for, and what it will fund. Self-funding enforcement: Civil penalties of up to £30,000 per offence generate ring-fenced enforcement income. A well-run team can become self-funding. Present the income projections with realistic assumptions. Licensing income: If the council operates or is considering licensing schemes, explain how fees cover costs. Licensing is designed to be cost-neutral to the council. Cost avoidance: Every pound spent on enforcement avoids costs elsewhere. Preventing homelessness saves £15,000-£30,000 per household in temporary accommodation. Preventing illness saves NHS costs and reduces demand on social care. Councillors who understand the financial model are more likely to support enforcement investment. Present it as a business proposition, not a spending request.

Be clear about what you are asking for: 1. Strategic priority: Include PRS enforcement in the council's housing strategy and corporate plan. This provides the mandate for investment and activity. 2. Budget support: Approve the business case for enforcement staffing and technology investment. The £18.2 million fund provides pump-priming, but sustainable investment requires council commitment. 3. Political cover: Enforcement action against landlords can generate complaints from those being enforced against. Councillors who understand the legal framework and the public interest are better equipped to support officers. 4. Intelligence sharing: Ward councillors often hear about PRS problems through their surgeries and casework. Establishing a channel for councillors to refer housing concerns to the enforcement team improves intelligence without requiring officers to attend every surgery. 5. Cross-party support: PRS enforcement is not politically controversial. Tenants, responsible landlords, and community groups all benefit from effective enforcement. Cross-party support protects enforcement from being cut during budget negotiations.

Practical tips for an effective councillor briefing: Keep it short. 20-30 minutes maximum, with time for questions. Councillors have limited time and attention. Use visually engaging materials. A map showing HMO density by ward, photos of enforcement cases (anonymised), and a simple infographic of the enforcement pipeline are more effective than text-heavy reports. Bring a case study. One real example of a family living in dangerous conditions, the enforcement action taken, and the outcome is worth more than pages of statistics. Offer ward-specific follow-ups. After the group briefing, offer to meet individual councillors to discuss their ward's specific PRS issues. This builds relationships and generates intelligence. Time it right. Brief councillors before budget-setting season (typically September-December) so the enforcement case is fresh when spending decisions are made. Brief again when the PRS Database launch date is confirmed, as this creates a clear deadline for preparation. Follow up in writing. After the briefing, send a one-page summary that councillors can refer back to. Include key statistics, upcoming milestones, and the specific asks.