In a sign of increasing enforcement action in the private rented sector by London local authorities the amount of fines imposed on landlords and managing agents has increased, over the last 12 months from £6,502,932 in August 2021 to £8,010,344 at the start of August 2022.

Property profiling data platform Kamma have tracked local authority enforcement action via the Mayor of London's "rogue landlord and agent checker" database and say that an increase in the number of selective licensing and additional licensing schemes in the Capital as well as a post pandemic return to enforcement activity are the main drivers of the increase in fines imposed.

Orla Shields, Kamma's CEO, says "Local authorities are sending a strong message to landlords and agents across the country with fines increasing by £1.5 million ... Agents need to see this as an opportunity to take control of their compliance and take action to protect their clients and themselves against further enforcement efforts and fines."

Kamma also point out that there is increased local authority activity with regard to breaches of energy efficiency regulations by landlords and directing tenants to apply for rent repayment orders against their landlords who have been found to be in breach of licensing regulations.