
New Home Office data shows that Right to Rent fines have surged to more than £4.2 million since late 2024 - a sevenfold increase on the previous year.
The figures indicate a marked escalation in enforcement activity, with the number of civil penalties issued also climbing sharply - from 235 in the previous year to more than 375 since late 2024. Penalties exceeded £4.2 million between Q3 of 2024 and Q2 of 2025, compared with just £596,400 in the same period of the previous year.
The data suggests landlords and letting agents face increased scrutiny for failures in tenant verification, according to identity service provider Credas Technologies. It says the sharp rise highlights the growing compliance risks for landlords and letting agents and believes this should serve as a warning to those still relying on error-prone manual ID checks.
Right to Rent requires landlords and letting agents to verify a tenant’s eligibility before granting a tenancy. Failure to comply can lead to significant civil penalties or even criminal sanctions.
CEO Tim Barnett says the data shows that enforcement is not just tightening - it’s accelerating. “Right to Rent compliance has long been a legal requirement, but these figures show the financial consequences of getting it wrong are now far greater,” adds Barnett.
“Many landlords and agents still rely on outdated manual checks, which are vulnerable to error and oversight. It’s crucial the sector embraces secure digital verification processes to protect themselves and ensure compliance.”
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