The latest updates and insights from RIAMS Chief Editor Jeremy Manners.

New year is upon us, and we are already right into the thick of it for 2026. There were a couple of days over the festive break when I did very little whatsoever, that is, after updating the Housing Act 2004 section 239 powers of entry procedure and making sure the notice templates covering the Renters’ Rights Act investigatory powers were all up to date. I feel like I’ve been talking about the RRA for an age now, and it is certainly not going to stop for many months to come. The big date everyone in the private rented sector is talking about is 1 May 2026, when fixed-term tenancies come to an end and section 21 notices to quit will be consigned to history for the majority of renters. This represents a considerable power shift in favour of renters, which will radically change the PRS in England.   

The RRA’s investigatory powers for housing practitioners in England came into force on 27 December 2025. Take a look at my blog that summarises these key new provisions. 

Also, just before Christmas, the government published a new National Plan to End Homelessness, setting out cross-government action to prevent homelessness, improve services and end rough sleeping. The strategy includes providing more homes, stronger prevention duties, new national and local targets, better temporary accommodation and focused funding to support councils and partners. Local authorities will be at the forefront of this, whether through housing options teams, planning policy or social care. Read the government’s plan. 

Our popular question of the month with Dr Tim Everett will continue this year, and looking ahead to 25 March, the RHE Housing Conference in Birmingham will take place, covering essential housing topics for 2026 and beyond. You can book your place now. 

RIAMS in action  

RIAMS Libraries is the number one subscription platform for environmental health, providing a comprehensive library of practical and easily accessible procedures, notices, letters, guidance and forms covering all specialisms. Supporting local authorities in delivering robust and consistent enforcement, RIAMS provides a cost-effective solution for your team, keeping officers on the front line. 

Activity: In December, we reviewed and updated 79 documents on RIAMS Libraries, including 20 procedures and 37 notice templates for England, Northern Ireland and Wales. We also added 9 new notices under the Renters’ Rights Act to enable practitioners to use the new investigatory powers straight away. 

A closer look:

Procedure: Reporting and Processing Offences (MP20)  

Module: Enforcement  

Relevant to: All practitioners 

Countries: England, Northern Ireland and Wales 

Reporting and Processing Offences (MP20) provides officers with an end-to-end guide to conducting an investigation, from initial identification of an offence through to prosecution, court proceedings and case closure. It brings together legal compliance, good investigative practice and robust file management to help officers build cases that stand up to scrutiny. 

The procedure sets out, in practical terms, what is expected of investigating officers and managers at every stage, from managing time limits and recording key decisions to compiling a prosecution-ready file, handling exhibits correctly and meeting disclosure duties. It clearly explains roles, responsibilities and decision points, including when to escalate matters, seek legal advice or consider alternative enforcement outcomes. 

With a strong emphasis on compliance with PACE, human rights considerations and continuity of evidence, this procedure is essential reading for any practitioner involved in enforcement work. Whether you are preparing your first prosecution file or reviewing your best practice, this information provides the structure, safeguards and confidence needed to progress cases lawfully, proportionately and effectively. 

Avoid common pitfalls, strengthen evidential integrity and protect both the investigation and the authority. Read the full procedure here. 

If your organisation doesn’t yet subscribe to RIAMS Libraries, contact RHE Global to book your free demonstration and trial.  

What’s new on RIAMS Communities? 

Local authority practitioners continue to sign up to our environmental health forums and engage in conversations across private water supplies, ASB, housing and ACEHO. Take the opportunity to join the discussion and network with colleagues in your chosen subject areas here.  

Family Ties or Legal Fiction?  

Our December Question of the Month with Dr Tim Everett looks at the legal position when HMO occupants all claim to be related.  

Under the Housing Act 2004, most HMO definitions hinge on whether occupants are from separate households, and councils don’t have to accept claims at face value. Crucially, authorities need only show that one occupant falls outside the definition of a household to be classed as an HMO. With powers to demand documents and case law that backs reasonable inferences, practitioners are in a strong position to identify and enforce against poorly managed HMOs. Read the full blog here. 

New Investigatory Powers for Councils: The First Instalment of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 

As mentioned, my blog summarises the new powers introduced by the RRA to enter premises and require and obtain information, as well as the amendments to the existing section 239 powers of entry under the Housing Act. You can read the blog here and access more detailed information and notice templates here on RIAMS Libraries.  

RHE Global supports environmental health practitioners across all specialisms to work smarter, network and share best practices. Visit RIAMS to stay up to date with the latest environmental health developments and discussions. 

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