London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a £400,000 fund to support enforcement of the Renters’ Rights Act across the capital, while renewing his push for devolved rent control powers.
The Renters’ Rights Enforcement Fund will provide training for local authority enforcement officers and fund advertising campaigns to inform tenants of their new rights under the Act, which takes effect on 1 May 2026.
London councils admit RRA plans ‘not finalised’
The Mayor’s announcement comes as Freedom of Information responses obtained exclusively by Landlord Knowledge reveal that some London boroughs have yet to finalise their enforcement plans with just weeks to go.
Brent Council told Landlord Knowledge in response to an FOI request: “The Council is currently reviewing the requirements of the new legislation and considering all available options to enable its effective implementation. However, at the present time, plans are still under development and have not yet been finalised.”
Wandsworth Council said: “The Council’s service parameters and related policy with regard to the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 are still under review. The Council remains operationally resilient to accommodate action within its current staffing base across the broad themes within the act.”
By contrast, Liverpool City Council confirmed it has 34 full-time equivalent staff in its Private Sector Housing team and will be “operationally ready” on 1 May 2026, with a new enforcement policy going to cabinet in April.
The mixed responses raise questions about whether the £400,000 fund will be sufficient to bring all 33 London boroughs up to speed before the Act takes effect.
Mayor renews rent control call with BTR exemption
Alongside the enforcement funding, Khan has renewed his longstanding campaign for the government to devolve rent control powers to London – but with a significant carve-out for Build to Rent developments.
Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “We are seeing the biggest expansion of renters rights for a generation – this is a change that I have long called for and will transform the lives of London’s 2.7m renters.”
Khan added: “The next step is for Ministers to devolve the power to cap rents so we can tackle the capital’s problems of both affordability and supply. And the evidence is clear – Londoners would overwhelmingly back new plans to put a cap on rent increases in the capital.”
The proposal to exempt new Build to Rent homes from any future rent caps represents an acknowledgement that restricting returns could deter institutional investment in new housing supply – a point landlord groups have consistently made about rent control policies.
Activists call for legal fighting fund
Campaign group Generation Rent has responded by calling for Khan to go further, proposing a “legal fighting fund” using public money to help borough councils pursue private landlords through the courts.
Generation Rent said: “Many local authorities are understandably cautious about pursuing complex or costly cases, particularly when landlords operate across borough boundaries. Early investment could help build a strong, self-sustaining enforcement system.”
The group also wants Khan to expand the Property Licence Checker service so tenants can “more easily identify offences that may qualify for Rent Repayment Orders” – a mechanism that allows tenants to claim back up to 12 months rent from landlords found guilty of certain housing offences.
This follows Landlord Knowledge’s recent coverage of London Assembly research showing 65 percent of London renters remain unaware of the Renters Rights Act just weeks before implementation.
What this means for landlords
- If you let in London: Expect increased enforcement activity from May onwards as councils receive additional resources and training
- Watch for: The BTR exemption signals private landlords would bear the brunt of any future rent caps – a policy shift that could widen the gap between institutional and individual investor treatment
- Rent Repayment Orders: Better-publicised tenant rights could increase RRO claims – ensure all licensing, safety certificates and paperwork are fully compliant
- Bottom line: The £400k fund is modest but signals London councils will prioritise RRA enforcement as a political priority
Editor’s view
The BTR exemption in Khan’s rent control proposal is telling. Even advocates of rent caps now accept that restricting returns deters new supply. Private landlords should note that they would not receive the same protection – a two-tier market where institutional investors are encouraged while individual landlords face tighter controls.
Author: Editorial Team – UK landlord & buy-to-let news, policy, and finance
Published: 27 March 2026
Sources: Greater London Authority, Generation Rent, Brent Council FOI (IRC-78848-K1H7K2), Wandsworth Council FOI (WBC-FOI-12799), Liverpool City Council FOI (FOI-2026-0858)
Related reading: Landlords face £7,000 fine for missing RRA information sheet deadline
📘 Renters’ Rights Act: Complete Landlord Guide
Everything you need to know about the new rules – 1 May 2026
