BARNSLEY Council will receive additional funding to help tackle rogue landlords ahead of sweeping reforms to protect renters which are set to come into force next month.

All 317 local authorities in England will share £41m, building on an earlier £18m allocation made last autumn.

The funding is intended to prepare councils for enhanced powers and obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act, scheduled to take effect on May 1.

Under the new legislation, councils will be placed under a formal ‘duty to enforce’, requiring them to ensure landlords comply with rules prohibiting bidding wars between tenants and the use of no-fault evictions known as ‘Section 21s’.

Landlords who commit serious or repeated breaches of the rules could face increased penalties of up to £40,000, which is £10,000 higher than the current maximum fine.

At the time of the last census, 19.1 per cent rented from a private landlord in Barnsley South, while 22.3 per cent rented from a social landlord.

In Barnsley North, the figures were 17.3 per cent and 19.6 per cent respectively, while Penistone and Stocksbridge’s were 10.7 per cent and 13.3 per cent.

David Smith, property litigation partner at law firm Spector Constant and Williams, predicted that court-decided disputes could increase as a result of the changes.

He added: “Spread across more than 300 local authorities, the additional funding is unlikely to transform enforcement overnight.

“Many councils already struggle with limited housing enforcement teams and the new ‘duty to enforce’ could place significant pressure on existing resources.

“No amount of money will resolve the shortage of qualified and experienced environmental health officers.

“In practice, compliant landlords are unlikely to notice immediate changes, but those operating outside the rules may face increased scrutiny and higher financial penalties.

“We are likely to see an increase in disputes as the new legislation beds in and areas of uncertainty are tested through the courts.”

Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock welcomed the forthcoming reforms.

“Almost one in five households in Barnsley South rents privately,” she told the Chronicle.

“I know these people have been let down for far too long with many stuck in disgraceful conditions, powerless to act because of the threat of a retaliatory eviction hanging over them.

“I am pleased that the Renters’ Rights Act has passed into law.

“This will be a really important change for renters in Barnsley and across the country, and provides them with protections so that they can feel more secure and stable in their homes.

“This is set to impact 12 million renters across the country and is an example of the real change that a Labour government makes.”

Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “The announcement that the Renters’ Rights Act will take effect on May 1 is fantastic news.

“We have fought for this day for so long and to now have certainty about when the last Section 21 eviction will be is crucial for our members, who will be trying to ensure as many renters as possible are aware of their new rights.

“As sorely needed as the Renters’ Rights Act is, affordability is going to continue to be a huge issue - the biggest issue - facing private renters.

“We need the government to take real action on this affordability crisis.

“For renters to be able to put their new rights into practice, the act must be backed up by rigorous enforcement, with councils given the resources and funding they need to hold criminal landlords to account.”