From 27 December 2025, the first stage of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 brings a tougher compliance backdrop for landlords. Local councils in England will gain stronger investigatory powers, meaning they can require tenancy-related information from anyone who has been involved with the property within the past 12 months, issued through a formal written notice.
If your records aren’t complete, clearly organised, and easy to retrieve, the impact could be swift and costly.
For landlords who self-manage, this is a turning point. Dealing with essentials like deposit protection or safety certificates only when they crop up may once have felt manageable, but in the stricter enforcement climate from December, formal written notices with short deadlines mean gaps in records can carry far more risk.
That’s why a growing number of landlords are choosing a fully managed service. It takes compliance off your plate and helps make sure every tenancy is ready for inspection at any time, without the pressure.
What happens on 27 December 2025?
While broader tenancy reforms such as changes to fixed-term agreements, Section 21, rent increases and pets in rentals are due to start from 1 May 2026, the December 27 changes relate to councils’ investigatory powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
These powers allow them to:
- Require tenancy-related information from anyone involved with the property in the last 12 months, via written notice
- Review compliance with deposit protection and safety requirements
- Enter business premises (usually with notice) to request or seize documents
- Residential entry and seizure have stricter safeguards
With Northwood’s fully managed service, your tenancy documents stay accurate, compliant, and up to date, leaving you prepared for any request that comes in.
Would you be able to respond on time to a council document request?
When you self-manage, the responsibility for proving compliance sits entirely with you. Councils may require evidence of key compliance items, depending on the investigation, such as:
- Signed tenancy agreements
- Deposit protection proof and prescribed information
- Right-to-rent checks
- Current gas certificates, electrical reports (EICR), and EPCs
- Repair logs, correspondence, and legal notices
- Any licences required for the property
Even one missing item could trigger fines or further enforcement action.
Disorganised paperwork means a higher risk
Many landlords keep records across inboxes, phones, spreadsheets, and scattered folders. But when files aren’t stored in one clear, accessible place, it becomes much harder to respond quickly and confidently, especially when deadlines in the written notice are tight.
Don’t let December catch you off guard
December already comes with plenty to juggle. Renewals, holiday plans, tenant queries, and end-of-year admin can easily push paperwork down the list. But under these new powers, small gaps in documentation could lead to big consequences.
Moving to Northwood’s fully managed service removes that exposure.
Why move to Northwood’s fully managed service?
If you manage alone, both the workload and liability are yours. By choosing fully managed, Northwood will:
- Keep your tenancy records complete and inspection-ready
- Make sure deposits and safety checks are handled correctly
- Monitor renewals, deadlines, and expiry dates for you
- Deal with council contact and any compliance follow-ups
- Safeguard your rental income and free up your time
With enforcement tightening, expert support is no longer a luxury; it’s a practical safeguard.
Let Northwood handle compliance for you
If you’ve been managing your rental yourself, now is the moment to prepare. Councils can set short deadlines within a formal written notice. Are your records accurate, current, and ready to share?
Get everything in order before the deadline. Speak to your local Northwood branch today and ask about our fully managed service.
