There’s been a sharp rise in Right to Rent fines in the UK, with penalties exceeding £4.2m since late 2024, compared with just £596,400 in the comparable preceding period.
The figures indicate a marked escalation in enforcement activity since the Labour government came into power, with the number of civil penalties issued also climbing sharply – from 235 in the previous year to more than 375 since late 2024.
The data suggests landlords and letting agents are facing increased scrutiny for failures in tenant verification.
Introduced to prevent individuals without legal immigration status from accessing private rented accommodation, the Right to Rent scheme requires landlords and letting agents to verify a tenant’s eligibility before granting a tenancy.
Failure to comply can lead to significant civil penalties, and in severe cases, criminal sanctions.
Tim Barnett – chief executive of Credas Technologies – says: “The latest data shows that enforcement is not just tightening – it’s accelerating. Right to Rent compliance has long been a legal requirement, but these figures show the financial consequences of getting it wrong are now far greater.
“Many landlords and agents still rely on outdated manual checks, which are vulnerable to error and oversight. It’s crucial the sector embraces secure digital verification processes to protect themselves and ensure compliance.”
He says compliance should be seen as a core business risk rather than an administrative burden, urging landlords and letting agents to ensure their verification processes are both robust and up to date.
He adds: “The direction of travel is clear. Enforcement is becoming more data-driven, more consistent, and more costly for those who fail to keep pace. Digital verification tools can make compliance faster, more secure, and less risky for everyone involved.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today