Property agents and landlords
Rented housing - Letting agents, property managers and landlords
Housing is one of the main issues for London residents. Southwark's Fairer Future commitment on homes for all states everyone should have a safe place they are proud to call home.
As the private rented sector has grown so have concerns over safety, standards and unfair trading practices.
One of our priorities is to work with other regulatory partners to combat the small minority of rogue landlords and property agents who don't comply with the law.
Trading Standards enforces a range of legislation intended to ensure transparency and fairness in the lettings and property market. In some cases penalties of £30,000 can be imposed for certain breaches or businesses and landlords can be prosecuted and fined or sent to prison.
We also work with a range of colleagues from other council teams, such as planning enforcement, tenancy relations and private sector housing enforcement. This ensures that investigations into the most problematic landlords and agents benefit from a holistic approach. All potential breaches can then be considered for action and the courts can sentence with the full extent of any malpractices taken into account.
We will seek to use the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure that those convicted of offences have any criminal benefit they have obtained confiscated.
- for more information on trading standards work affecting the lettings and property sector, visit the London Trading Standards website
- find out more information on property licensing and landlord guidance
- for private tenancy advice issues please contact our tenancy relations service
Page last updated: 28 January 2022
