Q. My Local Authority have got in touch with me asking me to provide information about my rented property and the tenancy. Surely they can’t do this? Isn’t it a breach of confidential information under the data protection legislation?

A. As of 27 December 2025, Local Authorities have had enhanced powers to require information from anyone who is a ‘relevant person’, which includes landlords and their agents. Local Authority officers can require you to provide information to assist them with their investigations into the enforcement of certain legislation, including:

• The Protection from Eviction Act 1977
• The Housing Act 1988 (due to be amended with effect from 1 May 2026 by the Renters Rights Act 2025)
• The Housing and Planning Act 2016 (for example, if they are considering applying for a Rent Repayment Order)
• The Renters Rights Act 2025 (in particular regarding discrimination), and
• The Housing Act 2004 (in particular regarding the property condition and licensing)

You can’t be forced to incriminate yourself, but otherwise you need to comply with their request. If you don’t, they can apply to the Court for an order that you do so – and you will, in most cases, be ordered to pay the cost of this. Note that where the landlord is a limited company, company officials can also be held personally liable for these costs.

The data protection rules specifically provide that information must be provided to the authorities where they are carrying out their legal duties.

Note that landlords in this situation should always take legal advice before doing anything. Although you must comply with their request, if you speak to Local Authority Officers without taking legal advice first, you may find that you have inadvertently made admissions which they can use as the basis for a prosecution or Civil Penalty Notice.

For example, often legal advisers will suggest that you provide the information required in a written submission, which they can draft for you, rather than in an interview.

Note incidentally that your solicitors cannot be ordered to provide information about you to the Local Authority as this is covered by legal professional privilege. Landlords should use solicitors who understand this area of law. For example, the panel solicitors on the Landlord Law telephone advice service, at landlordlaw.co.uk/telephone are all experienced in this work.

Q. I am a letting agent. I have read that Local Authority Officers can enter my business premises without a warrant and seize documents. Is this true?