Writing in Property118, the Landlord Crusader criticises the new powers about to be given new powers to enter a rented property with just 24 hours’ notice to the tenant — without informing the landlord, stating that landlords across the country are about to be blindsided.

Buried within the Renters’ Rights Bill is a provision that gives council officers the power to enter a rented property with just 24 hours’ notice to the tenant — without informing the landlord. Let that sink in: local authority officers will have the ability to carry out inspections, without the property owner’s knowledge, explanation, or presence.

In what world is this acceptable?

Supporters of the Bill may argue that it’s a victory for tenants. But the reality is far more troubling: this legislation risks tipping the scales so far that landlords are no longer partners in housing provision — we are treated as the enemy.

An Invitation for Abuse?

We are told, glibly, that landlords will be informed after the fact. That’s not good enough. This opens the door to a host of enforcement abuses. Councils already struggle to respond to basic queries or process licensing applications efficiently. How will this new power be used when a landlord voices legitimate frustration over delays, or challenges unfair practices?

Will this lead to retaliatory inspections? Surprise visits triggered not by urgent risk, but by an officer’s discretion — or worse, their irritation?

It’s not hyperbole to call this a slippery slope. If police officers need a warrant or urgent cause to enter someone’s home, why are council officers being handed an access-all-areas pass with so little oversight?

Honest Landlords, Harshest Penalties

We are constantly told that good landlords have “nothing to fear.” That’s cold comfort when facing the prospect of a £40,000 fine for a disputed mould patch, caused not by disrepair but by a tenant’s lifestyle choices. Will inspectors consider whether windows were left closed, vents blocked, or wet washing stacked to the ceiling?

You can bet the criminal landlords — the real rogues, those operating under the radar — will dodge these inspections entirely. Meanwhile, it’s the compliant, tax-paying landlord who will be left wide open to council scrutiny and bureaucratic punishment.

Where’s the Fairness?

And what of transparency? Why are landlords barred from being present during these inspections, unable to provide context or respond to concerns in real time? Tenants are told of the visit. Landlords are not. How is that fair?

The principle of quiet enjoyment works both ways. Respect for a tenant’s home doesn’t mean disrespecting the landlord’s property rights.

A Dystopian Future?

The truth is, many landlords still don’t understand the full implications of this Bill. Worse, many haven’t even heard of it. When they do wake up to the realities — intrusive inspections, one-sided enforcement, enormous fines, and the stripping away of property rights — they may find it’s too late.

The Renters’ Rights Bill, in its current form, is not balanced reform. It’s a step towards a regulatory regime that alienates landlords, diminishes trust, and risks further reducing rental supply at a time of national housing crisis.