Local Authority Investigatory Powers

Since 1 May 2026, landlords who want to sell a tenanted property must rely on specific possession grounds under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. For sales agents and auctioneers, this changes how rented property is valued, marketed and sold. Sellers may still be able to sell with vacant possession, but the process is no longer as straightforward as many landlords expect.

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a new data collection strategy to support monitoring of the private rented sector (PRS) and evaluate the impact of the Renters’ Rights Act in England. The paper sets out how surveys, local authority data, court and tribunal data, the new PRS Database, Ombudsman Information, and market evidence will be utilised to assess how the reforms are working in practice.

Local housing authorities in England have gained new investigatory powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, including the ability to enter rental sector business premises as part of enforcement activity. Officers can request and seize documents, but their powers are not unlimited. Agents should know what officers can lawfully ask for, what notice should be given in routine cases, and what protections apply to legally confidential material.