Local authorities have collected only around a quarter of the value of civil penalties issued to private landlords over a two-year period, according to research by the National Residential Landlords Association.

Freedom of Information data obtained by the NRLA shows councils issued £29.7m in civil penalties during 2023/24 and 2024/25 but collected £7.39m – equivalent to 24.9% of the total value.

Across councils responding to the information requests, 3,695 civil penalties were issued.

The findings come as local authorities take on increased responsibilities for enforcing standards in the private rented sector following wider regulatory reforms.

The research also found only a relatively modest increase in inspections carried out under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

Councils conducted 91,620 HHSRS inspections during 2023/24 and 2024/25, compared with 85,326 across 2021/22 and 2022/23 – an increase of just over 7%.

The NRLA said the figures raised questions about whether councils have sufficient resources to enforce existing regulations effectively.

The association argued that effective enforcement against landlords who fail to meet legal standards is necessary to ensure responsible operators are not undermined by those who ignore their obligations.

The figures are particularly significant following the introduction of further regulatory requirements under the Renters’ Rights Act, which place additional enforcement responsibilities on local authorities.

The NRLA has called for councils to have sufficient resources to identify and take action against landlords who break the law rather than relying primarily on the introduction of additional regulation.