If you look after your own tenancy, you may be used to handling compliance in phases. Deposits at move-in, safety certificates at renewal, paperwork when something goes wrong. For many years, this routine has worked well enough.
From 27 December, changes begin.
That is when local councils in England gain new investigatory powers under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. These powers allow them to request information about any tenancy you have handled in the past 12 months, often with very little notice. If your records are not complete, clearly organised or easy to access, the consequences can be stressful and expensive. This is why many landlords are choosing to move to a fully managed service now. It removes pressure, reduces risk and ensures every tenancy is ready for inspection at any time.
What is changing on 27 December?
Many landlords expect the Renters’ Rights Act reforms to begin next spring. The larger tenancy changes indeed arrive in May 2026. However, the enforcement side of the legislation begins much earlier.
From 27 December, councils will be able to investigate compliance, review tenancy records from the previous year and request access to both physical and digital documents connected to your rental property.
With a Nicholas Humphreys fully managed service, your tenancy remains compliant and inspection-ready all year round, without you carrying the burden alone.
Why these new powers matter for self-managing landlords
If you manage your property yourself, you are fully responsible for meeting every legal requirement. Councils can ask for your complete tenancy file, including agreements, deposit protection proof, prescribed information, Right to Rent checks, gas and electrical certificates, EPCs, inspection notes, repair records and any licensing documentation.
Every document must be accurate, complete and easy to provide quickly. If anything is unclear or missing, you may need to explain it in detail.
The risks of incomplete or disorganised paperwork
Even one missing document can cause problems. Councils will expect clear evidence of deposit protection, correct prescribed information, accurate Right to Rent checks and up-to-date safety certificates.
Small administrative negligence can now create bigger issues, especially when councils can check historic tenancies.
How scattered records make compliance more difficult
Many self-managing landlords keep records across different places. Emails, photos, cloud folders, paper files, spreadsheets and messages. When councils can request documents at short notice, gathering everything becomes much harder.
Delays or gaps in your response can turn an ordinary request into something much more serious, especially if you cannot demonstrate a clear compliance trail.
Why December is the best time to prepare for the new rules
December is one of the most demanding months for landlords. Renewals, new tenancies, holiday closures, maintenance delays and year-end admin all compete for your attention.
It is also the time when minor oversights are most likely to happen. Under the new powers, these oversights can become costly.
Moving to a fully managed service now ensures your documentation is correct before the rules take effect, not after problems arise.
How a Fully Managed Service Gives You Confidence
When you self-manage, the responsibility is entirely upon you. When you choose Nicholas Humphreys, you gain support that changes the whole compliance experience.
A fully managed service:
- Takes day-to-day compliance off your plate
- Keeps documents complete, organised and audit-ready
- Ensures deposits, checks and certificates are completed correctly
- Responds on your behalf if councils request information
- Protects your property and your peace of mind
It is a support to reduce stress and eliminate unnecessary risk.
Let Nicholas Humphreys protect your property before the rules change
The changes arriving on 27 December will not come with a countdown, but their impact will be significant. If you are managing alone, this is the time to get everything in place without last-minute pressure.
With council checks becoming more detailed, you do not have to face compliance questions by yourself. Speak with our Nicholas Humphreys local branch today and move to our fully managed service and ensure your tenancies are protected long before the new rules take effect.
