Want to understand the new landlord redress scheme being introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act?
The scheme is designed to help tenants to raise a complaint and hold landlords to account. That might feel like added risk if you let property – but the process is supposed to make expected standards clearer, and help both sides resolve disputes without going to court.
On this page, we’ll break down what the new landlord redress scheme will look like, and what it means for landlords.
You’ll learn:
- What the new landlord redress scheme involves
- What it means for landlords in practice
- What kinds of issues tenants might complain about
- How to prepare ahead of its introduction
If you want to stay compliant and avoid nasty surprises, keep reading.
5 Key Points to Know About the Landlord Redress Scheme
The key takeaway is that all private landlords will need to join a landlord redress scheme (also described as a Private Rented Sector Ombudsman). This change forms part of the second phase of reforms, with membership expected to become mandatory by the end of 2026.
Until now, schemes like this have mainly applied to letting agents. Under the new framework, every private landlord will be brought into scope – including those who self-manage.
That said, the delayed rollout gives landlords a little more breathing space to get ready.
Below are the five key changes you should understand.
1. Mandatory Membership for all Landlords
- All private residential landlords will be legally required to join an approved landlord redress scheme.
- This applies whether you manage the property yourself or instruct an agent.
- For tenants, it creates a free and independent route to resolve disputes if a complaint is not handled properly.
2. Creation of a New Ombudsman Service
- The redress scheme will be backed by statutory powers and a dedicated ombudsman-style service.
- If a tenant’s complaint is upheld, the scheme can require landlords to take action.
- That may include issuing an apology, providing information, carrying out remedial works, or paying compensation (up to specified limits).
3. Enforcement and Penalties
- Local councils will be able to enforce the requirement to join the scheme.
- If a landlord fails to comply, councils may issue financial penalties – read more landlord fines under the Renters’ Rights Act here.
- Expect a stepped approach, with lower fines for initial breaches and much higher fines for repeated or serious non-compliance.
- In some cases, criminal prosecution may also be possible.
4. Links to Other Regulatory Requirements
- Redress scheme membership will sit alongside other compliance duties under the new regime.
- Landlords may need to be registered on the new private rented sector database and property portal before they can market or manage a property.
- That means redress scheme membership won’t be a standalone box-tick.
5. Expanded Scope and Future Flexibility
- The Act allows the government to set out further detail through secondary legislation.
- This will define what information landlords must provide and which tenancies and dwellings fall within scope.
- It also gives regulators flexibility to adjust the rules over time.
Landlord Redress Scheme: Membership Requirements at a Glance
Under the Act, a new landlord redress scheme will give tenants a free, independent route to escalate complaints if issues can’t be resolved directly with the landlord.
For landlords, it introduces a clearer set of expected standards – and a framework for handling disputes without defaulting to court action.
The scheme will apply to all private residential landlords, including self-managing landlords and those who use letting agents. That means it’s worth getting familiar with the membership requirement now. Then, you can join as soon as the scheme is rolled out and avoid falling behind on compliance.
Below, we’ve set out the key membership duties and trigger points you’ll need to follow.
Membership Duties
| Requirement | Trigger point |
| Join the approved landlord redress scheme | Ongoing duty once the requirement comes into force (i.e., you must be a member to operate as a private landlord) |
| Be a member before a dwelling is marketed | Before marketing a property for letting (applies at the point you intend to advertise/market) |
| Do not market a dwelling unless the “would-be landlord” is a member | At the point of marketing (a prohibition on marketing where membership is not in place) |
| Remain a member after you stop being a residential landlord (for a set period) | When you cease to be a residential landlord (membership must continue for the specified period) |
| Notify the scheme administrator when relevant information changes | As soon as changes happen (or within the time limit set in regulations) |
Common Questions Landlords are Asking
Do I have to join the landlord redress scheme, even if I only have one property or use a letting agent?
Yes.
The scheme is intended to cover all private landlords, including self-managing landlords and those who let through agents. Even if an agent handles day-to-day management, the legal duty to be a member will still sit with the landlord under the new framework.
When does the requirement to join come into force, and what do I need to do to be compliant?
Not yet – and the exact “go-live” date will be confirmed through the Government’s phased rollout.
Current guidance is that the PRS database will roll out from late 2026, and the ombudsman/redress service will follow after that, with expectations that it will be ready in 2028. To stay compliant, you’ll need to join an approved scheme by the deadline set, and (in practice) you should expect membership to link to the new database/portal approach as it rolls out.
How much will membership cost, and is the fee per landlord or per property?
The fee hasn’t been set yet.
The Government says it expects a small annual fee per PRS property, with the final amount set by the ombudsman service based on operating costs. Earlier impact assessment modelling also works on a per-dwelling basis for registration time/cost assumptions, but the actual membership pricing will be confirmed closer to launch.
What kind of complaints can tenants bring, and can the scheme order compensation?
Tenants will be able to complain about a landlord’s actions, inactions, or behaviours that cause harm or inconvenience – and yes, compensation can be ordered.
The service is intended to offer a free, independent, and binding route for tenants, and it can require landlords to issue an apology or explanation, provide information, take remedial action, and/or pay compensation where appropriate. The Government also expects the scheme to cover complaints across the rental journey, including from prospective and former tenants.
What happens if I don’t join or don’t comply with a decision made by the scheme?
You may face enforcement action and significant penalties.
Local councils will be able to take action against landlords who fail to join (or where a property is marketed without the landlord being registered), with civil penalties of up to £7,000 for initial breaches and up to £40,000 or criminal prosecution for continuing or repeated breaches. If a landlord persistently fails to join, tenants may also be able to seek rent repayment orders, and failure to comply with an ombudsman decision may lead to expulsion from the scheme followed by council enforcement action.
4 Key Ways to Protect Yourself Before the New Rules Take Effect
The new landlord redress scheme increases the pressure on landlords to get the basics right.
If you fall short, you may face penalties for non-compliance, and in some cases you could also be required to pay compensation where a tenant’s complaint is upheld. It also links into wider enforcement measures, meaning landlords should expect greater regulatory scrutiny.
If your paperwork is messy, your communication is informal, or your handling of repairs and complaints is inconsistent, it becomes much harder to defend your position.
Key steps to take now include:
- Organise documentation for every tenancy.
Keep tenancy agreements, notices, correspondence, inspection notes, complaint records, and statutory documents in one place so you can evidence compliance quickly if challenged.
- Set a clear complaints process.
Use a simple written procedure for how tenants report issues, how quickly you respond, and how you record outcomes – so minor issues don’t escalate into formal disputes.
- Standardise written communication.
Avoid verbal agreements. Use templates for key messages (repairs, access requests, updates, notices, rent changes) so communication stays consistent and defensible.
- Audit property standards and repairs.
Keep a log of reported issues, actions taken, and completion dates, with photos where useful. A clear maintenance trail helps reduce complaints and supports your position if one is made.
How Strikes Can Help You Prepare
Strikes Property Services Group is a property dispute resolution agency that helps landlords recover debts, serve legal notices and enforce evictions. We help you take the lawful route and progress matters efficiently when a tenant won’t cooperate.
Our specialists can support you at every stage with issues such as:
- Early dispute resolution.
We help you respond quickly and properly to tenant issues, so problems don’t snowball into formal complaints.
- Clear options on debt recovery and eviction next steps.
If rent arrears are building or a tenancy is breaking down, we’ll talk you through your routes for recovering debts and, where needed, starting the eviction process.
- Support during formal investigations.
If you’re dealing with a complaint under the new scheme or wider enforcement action, we’ll guide you through what to do, what to provide, and how to present your position clearly.
If you’re unsure where to start, now is the time to act. Book a free consultation with our Managing Director, Chris Bane, to discuss your situation and the steps needed to stay compliant and protected.
