The National Residential Landlords Association has accused councils of letting rogue landlords off the hook.

New data shows councils across the North West region have collected just 16% of the total fines levied on landlords issued with civil penalty notices.

And it’s just 13% in the North East. 

Between 2023/24 and 2024/25, of the 34 councils across North West England that provided data, a total of just under £2.8m in civil penalties were imposed on private landlords for housing offences. 

But under £450,000 was actually collected.

In the North East of England, a total of just over £2.2m in civil penalties was imposed on private landlords for housing offences. 

Less than £290,000 was actually recovered.

Overall, 311 civil penalties were issued to landlords over the same period in the North West of England, and 361 in the North East.

The association claims this data shows that councils are failing to collect the funds they desperately need to fund enforcement action.

And it’s warning that without a major increase in upfront funding for council enforcement teams across the North West and North East, “rogue and criminal landlords will continue to slip through the net.”

It adds that councils’ failure to collect is undermining the reputation of the vast majority of landlords who meet their responsibilities and provide good quality homes.

The NRLA is calling on the Government to:

•    Champion better enforcement by establishing a new Chief Environmental Health Officer post which would have a national remit;

•    Undertake a full assessment of the resources local authority enforcement teams currently have, and will need, to enforce the Renters Rights Act;

•    Ensure greater transparency by requiring councils to publish an annual report on enforcement activity related to the private rented sector in their area. 

NRLA chief executive Ben Beadle comments: “Tenants and the vast majority of responsible landlords across the North West and North East will rightly be fed up by our findings.

“For too long a minority of rogue and criminal operators have been allowed to act with impunity, bringing the sector into disrepute. 

“It is galling then to see that those breaking the law are still failing to pay the price – leaving good landlords to pick up the tab in licensing fees.

“This also raises serious questions about how ready councils across the region are to enforce the Renters Rights Act, and about the adequacy of the upfront funding provided to them to support enforcement action.”