A letting agent has been fined £8,600 after breaching the Renters Rights Act.

Chesterfield council issued two financial penalties totalling £8,652 which was reduced to £7,354.20 as the penalties were paid within the specified timeframe.

The breaches came to light after the council’s private housing team received a complaint from tenants about housing standards at a rented property shortly after moving.

During its investigation, the council discovered that the agent had issued a six-month fixed-term tenancy agreement, despite fixed-term assured tenancies being prevented under  the Renters Rights Act 2025.

The second penalty came after the council  found that when the tenants expressed an intention to complain, they were told to leave the property and were moved into alternative accommodation owned by a different, unknown landlord.

The council has not named the agency but a spokesperson for the authority comments: “We are committed to putting our communities first and making sure renters have the protection they need. 

“That’s why before the new legislation came into force, our private sector housing team engaged with landlords and letting agents across the borough to make sure they understood the changes and what was expected of them.

“This case demonstrates that we will take action where landlords and agents fail to comply with their duties. 

“We also hope it serves as a reminder to letting agents across Chesterfield to ensure they fully understand the recent changes to the law and their responsibilities.”

As well as taking enforcement action against the agent, the council served an improvement notice to ensure the original property was brought up to the required letting standard.