Enforcement Watch: Edition 004, February 2026

This Month at a Glance

February 2026 was defined by licensing expansion. Harrow Council approved six new selective licensing designations on 2 February 2026, one of the largest single-authority licensing expansions London has seen in recent years. The schemes cover Edgeware, Greenhill, Marlborough, Roxeth, Wealdstone North, and Wealdstone South, adding thousands of privately rented properties to the borough's licensing requirements.

Prosecution activity in Derby continued from January, with council enforcement teams bringing further cases following the housing document inspection programme that started in late 2025. Sheffield and Leeds both reported civil penalty activity under selective licensing enforcement.

In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive reported continued licensing compliance inspections across Belfast, with particular focus on HMO properties in the inner city student belt.

Cases on Record

Derby, England. Derby City Council's enforcement programme produced a second prosecution in as many months. A landlord was found guilty at Derby Magistrates' Court of failing to produce tenancy records and rental income documentation as required under the Housing Act 2004. The sentence included a fine, costs, and a victim surcharge. The case forms part of a broader documentary compliance campaign targeting landlords who have not responded to council information requests.

Sheffield, England. Sheffield City Council issued a civil penalty of £8,000 under selective licensing regulations against a landlord operating a property in a designated licensing area without the required licence. The penalty was issued under section 249A of the Housing Act 2004 following a complaint from a former tenant. The landlord did not appeal within the statutory period.

Leeds, England. Leeds City Council enforcement teams conducted a compliance sweep across properties in the Headingley and Hyde Park selective licensing zones. Two civil penalties were issued for licence condition breaches relating to fire safety and property management. Total penalties issued: £11,500 across two properties held by the same landlord entity.

Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive confirmed enforcement action against an unlicensed HMO operator in the south Belfast area. Under the Houses in Multiple Occupation Act (Northern Ireland) 2016, operating an HMO without a licence carries a maximum fine of £20,000. The landlord was served a compliance notice and given 28 days to apply for a licence before prosecution would be initiated.

Regulatory Shifts

Harrow selective licensing: six designations approved 2 February 2026. Harrow Council's Cabinet approved six new selective licensing schemes following a formal designation process. The schemes cover the Edgeware, Greenhill, Marlborough, Roxeth, Wealdstone North, and Wealdstone South wards. Commencement dates are staggered, with Edgeware and Roxeth commencing in May 2026 and the remaining four designations between May and September 2026. Licence fee: £786 per property for a five-year licence.

Government guidance: Renters' Rights Act preparation. DLUHC published updated guidance for landlords and councils in February 2026 setting out the expected commencement timeline for the Act's core provisions. Commencement orders were confirmed as anticipated in spring 2026. The Section 21 abolition date was described as no earlier than April 2026 at this stage.

Wales: Rent Smart Wales licence renewals. Rent Smart Wales issued renewal reminders to landlords whose initial five-year licences, granted under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 from 2017 onwards, were approaching expiry. Landlords who fail to renew before expiry operate without a licence and are liable to enforcement action.

Borough Watch

Harrow, London. Six new selective licensing designations approved 2 February 2026. This is one of the largest single-month licensing expansions in London since the selective licensing regime was introduced. Landlords with properties in Edgeware, Greenhill, Marlborough, Roxeth, Wealdstone North, or Wealdstone South should identify whether their properties fall within designated boundaries and prepare licence applications before commencement dates.

Southwark, London. Southwark Council's selective licensing scheme continued active enforcement across designated wards. Council enforcement officers made referrals to the First-tier Tribunal in several rent repayment order cases where tenants of unlicensed properties had applied for repayment of rent paid during the unlicensed period.

Bristol. Bristol City Council enforcement teams issued improvement notices under the Housing Act 2004 Category 1 hazard provisions to landlords of properties identified as having serious damp and mould issues following a winter compliance inspection programme. Failure to comply with an improvement notice is a qualifying offence for rent repayment order purposes.

What to Watch Next Month

Renters' Rights Act commencement order. The government is expected to lay a commencement order before Parliament during spring 2026. March or April is the anticipated window. Landlords should watch legislation.gov.uk for the order.

Harrow licensing: application process opens. Landlords affected by the February designations should monitor Harrow Council's website for the opening of licence applications for the Edgeware and Roxeth schemes, which are due to commence first.

Derby enforcement programme. Derby City Council's documentary inspection programme is expected to continue. Landlords who have received information requests from Derby should ensure full compliance to avoid prosecution.

Landlord Insights — landlordinsights.co.uk — Sourced to primary legislation, tribunal decisions, and official council enforcement publications. Not legal advice.