Greater Manchester has welcomed 22 new housing enforcement officers as the region steps up efforts to protect private renters and tackle landlords who fail to meet housing standards.
Mayor Bev Craig has told the new recruits that enforcing the Renters’ Rights Act and taking action against landlords who breach housing rules should be among their priorities.
The new officers will join council teams across Greater Manchester that inspect rental properties, investigate housing conditions and take enforcement action where landlords fail to meet their legal responsibilities.
New officers strengthen local enforcement
The latest recruits are part of a housing enforcement training programme launched in 2023 to increase the capacity of local authorities across Greater Manchester.
They follow 13 trainees who recently completed the programme and have since taken up housing enforcement roles.
The councils say the new generation of officers will help identify poor-quality rental properties, pursue enforcement action against landlords and tackle illegal practices in the private rented sector.
The expansion comes as the Renters’ Rights Act introduces significant changes to England’s private rental market.
Greater focus on tenant protection
Mayor Bev Craig said the additional officers would help address concerns about tenants living in poor-quality accommodation.
She said councils had previously faced financial pressures that limited their ability to intervene when housing conditions were unacceptable.
Craig said the region has many responsible landlordsp, including landlords who have signed up to Greater Manchester’s Good Landlord Charter.
However, she said enforcement was needed against landlords who fail to maintain acceptable standards.
The mayor said the new housing officers would give councils greater resources to enforce the law, uphold housing standards and take action against landlords whose properties fall into disrepair.
Renters’ Rights Act changes enforcement landscape
The Renters’ Rights Act represents a major change to England’s private rented sector.
Among its reforms are the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions for applicable tenancies and the move towards periodic tenancies.
The legislation also strengthens the framework governing landlords and tenants, giving local authorities an important role in enforcing certain requirements.
Government guidance states that local housing authorities are responsible for enforcing provisions of the new tenancy system and can use financial penalties for certain breaches.
This makes the availability of properly trained enforcement staff particularly important as councils adapt to the new rules.
Good Landlord Charter set for review
Craig also said she intends to strengthen Greater Manchester’s Good Landlord Charter.
The scheme was introduced under former mayor Andy Burnham and is designed to encourage landlords to meet higher standards in the private rented sector.
Craig said she wanted to work with responsible landlords while using enforcement powers against those who fail to provide acceptable housing.
The approach is intended to distinguish between landlords who comply with their responsibilities and those who repeatedly fail to meet required standards.
Why local enforcement matters
National rental reforms ultimately depend on effective enforcement at local level.
For tenants living in poor-quality accommodation, knowing that councils have the resources and expertise to investigate complaints can make a significant difference.
Greater Manchester’s investment in additional housing officers therefore comes at a time when local authorities are taking on an important role in implementing the new rental rules.
The effectiveness of the approach will depend on how councils use their enforcement powers, how quickly complaints are investigated and whether landlords make the necessary improvements.
For renters, stronger enforcement could provide an additional route to challenge serious housing problems where landlords fail to meet their legal obligations.
A new phase for private rental enforcement
The arrival of 22 new enforcement officers marks another step in Greater Manchester’s efforts to strengthen oversight of the private rented sector.
The region now intends to combine stronger tenant protections under the Renters’ Rights Act with increased local enforcement capacity.
At the same time, the continued involvement of responsible landlords through initiatives such as the Good Landlord Charter is intended to encourage higher standards without treating all landlords in the same way.
As the new rental rules become established, Greater Manchester will provide an early test of how additional local enforcement resources can be used to improve conditions for private renters.
