The CMA, one of whose purposes is to tackle unfair market practices, has been investigating the private rented sector and has raised concerns about the functioning of the PRS in a recent report this month.

A "Serial slum landlord" has received Brent Council's first banning order whilst a "Dodgy landlord" and his agent in Dagenham are made to pay £22,000 with the landlord also ordered to pay a £15,000 rent repayment order.

Described as "the biggest shakeup of civil penalties since 2014 the fine per occupier rises from £1000 to "up to £10,000 per occupier" for a first offence.

Both landlords were found out following unannounced inspections by council enforcement officers.

The High Kingsdown estate in the Cotham ward of Bristol is seeing some students living in the area receiving fines of up to £250 for nuisance behaviour.