Landlords could be fined thousands of pounds under new policies designed to help tenants.

The updates, which were voted through unanimously by Rutland County Council's cabinet on Tuesday (August 11), will enable the council to enforce new legislation brought in by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, with the power to penalise transgressing landlords.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 sought to enhance tenant protections by requiring landlords to establish a legal basis for evictions, while prohibiting discrimination against tenants with children or those receiving benefits.

Under the council's updated policy terms, a raft of additional violations will be subject to financial penalties. For example, discrimination against tenants claiming benefits or those with children "in the lettings process" could now see landlords incur fines of up to £7,000.

"Without updated policies, there is a risk of inconsistent enforcement, legal challenge to decisions and reduced ability to demonstrate compliance with statutory guidance and best practice," the cabinet's report said.

The updated policies mirror those recently adopted by Peterborough City Council, which will enforce them in Rutland on Rutland County Council's behalf, as per an agreement between the two authorities.

Rutland County Council leader Christine Wise (Liberal Democrats) said: "Aligning our policies with Peterborough will make things much simpler for council officers, since will be working to one standard across both areas, which is important. It should also stop dodgy landlords leaving Peterborough and ending up in Rutland."