Landlords look out! Local councils have been given extensive new investigatory powers.

Local councils have been granted extensive new investigatory powers that some in the industry describe as "draconian". Armed with an extra £18 million in government funding to enforce these rules, councils can now demand a comprehensive audit trail of compliance documents from any landlord or agent.

Crucially, they can request these records for any property you have held an interest in over the previous 12 months. Even if you sold a property six months ago, you are still on the hook.

What Can They Demand?

The scope of these new powers is vast. From December 27, councils can legally compel you to produce the following within strict deadlines:

• Tenancy Documents: Signed agreements and "How to Rent" guides for all current and past tenancies.

• Safety Certificates: A complete history of Gas Safety Records (CP12), Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), and valid Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).

• Financial & Legal Proof: Evidence of Deposit Protection, "Prescribed Information" served to tenants, and Right to Rent immigration checks.

• Maintenance Logs: Under new "Awaab’s Law" standards, you must show a clear timeline of every repair request (especially damp or mould), your response, and proof of completion.

If you are one of the millions of self-managing landlords relying on disjointed emails or physical files, you are now walking a legal tightrope. One missing certificate could lead to fines between £7,000 and £40,000.

This is why Let My Way is no longer just a management tool—it is your compliance shield.

1. The Trap: "Show Me the Paperwork"

The Risk: Councils can now demand immediate production of Tenancy Agreements, Right to Rent checks, Gas Safety Certificates, EICRs, and detailed repair records. Most self-managing landlords, whom we know rely on "spreadsheets and WhatsApp", will struggle to produce a flawless 12-month history on demand.

The "Let My Way" Solution: Our system replaces the "spreadsheet risk" with a centralised compliance ecosystem.

• Instant Audit Trails: Let My Way acts as a digital vault, automatically storing every document—from the initial tenancy agreement to the latest gas safety check, in one secure, accessible dashboard.

• Retrospective Protection: Because the system retains data history, you can instantly generate the 12-month evidence logs councils require, even for past tenancies, protecting you from retrospective enforcement.

2. The Trap: Accidental Non-Compliance

The Risk: The new Renters’ Rights Act is complex. A simple error like failing to serve a document correctly or missing a license renewal can now trigger massive penalties. Councils are actively looking for these mistakes to enforce the new laws.

The "Let My Way" Solution: We don't just store your documents; we gate your actions to prevent illegal mistakes.

• Compliance Gating: Our "Compliance First" architecture guides you throught the letting process to make sure you don't make any mistakes. For example, the system will not allow you to collect rent until the tenancy agreement is signed and your prescribed information is served.

• Automated Safety: You cannot accidentally issue an invalid eviction notice. Let My Way validates that you have the legal grounds (e.g., sufficient arrears for Section 8) before allowing you to generate the paperwork.

Conclusion: Don't Rely on Luck

The new powers, effective from December 27, are designed to catch out the unprepared. While high-street agents may have the back-office staff to handle these demands, self-managing landlords have been left exposed.

Let My Way serves as the "honest broker" you need. It takes the "huge administrative burdens" off your shoulders by automating the compliance lifecycle.