From 27 December 2025, local councils in England will gain enhanced investigatory powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. They can require tenancy-related information from anyone who has been involved with a property in the past 12 months, subject to formal written notice.
If your documentation isn’t complete, well organised and accessible, councils’ enquiries could quickly lead to enforcement action or civil penalties.
For self-managing landlords, this marks a shift. Handling tasks like deposit registration or safety checks only when they come up may have worked in the past, but this approach is now far riskier in a tougher enforcement environment.
This is why many landlords are now switching to a fully managed service. It removes the burden of compliance and ensures every tenancy is inspection-ready, without the stress.
What’s changing on 27 December 2025?
While many headline reforms come into force from 1 May 2026, certain investigatory powers under the RRA begin on 27 December 2025, giving councils new routes to request and, in some circumstances, seize evidence.
These include:
- Requesting tenancy information from anyone linked to the property in the last 12 months
- Checking deposit protection and safety compliance records
- Entering business premises to request or seize documents
With our fully managed service, your lettings file stays compliant and complete, so you’re ready for whatever request comes your way.
Are you ready for a document request?
If you self-manage, you’re fully responsible for proving compliance. Councils can ask to see:
- Signed tenancy agreements
- Deposit protection certificates and prescribed information
- Right-to-rent records
- Valid gas, electrical (EICR), and EPC certificates
- Legal notices and repair records
- Any required licences
A single missing or incomplete record can increase the risk of penalties or regulatory action if it is relevant to an investigation.
When paperwork is scattered, risk increases
It’s common for landlords to store documents across emails, phones, spreadsheets, and folders, but if everything isn’t organised and accessible, it’s much harder to respond confidently under pressure.
Don’t let December catch you out
December is busy, and records can be overlooked. Because councils may issue formal requests from 27 December, even minor oversights can have immediate consequences.
Choosing our fully managed service reduces the chance of missing or inaccessible records when they are needed.
Why switch to Lovelle’s fully managed service?
When you self-manage, the responsibility and the liability are entirely yours.
By going fully managed, we:
- Keep your records complete and audit-ready
- Ensure deposits and safety checks are correctly handled
- Track renewals and expiry dates for you
- Handle council correspondence and compliance queries
- Protect your rental income and your time
With tougher enforcement on the horizon, professional support has never been more important.
Let Lovelle take compliance off your hands
If you’re managing your property alone, now’s the time to act. Local councils can issue formal notices requesting tenancy information from 27 December, so make sure your files are accessible and auditable.
Get peace of mind before the deadline. Speak to your local Lovelle branch and ask about our fully managed service today.
