The government have announced that the Private Rental Sector Database will be launched on 15 December 2026, in phase two of the implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. This will be known as the ‘Register your rental property’ service.

 

Registration

The service will first be introduced in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026 with a deadline of 14 March 2027 to register. Introduction will then be phased by region as shown below:

 

West Midlands – Regulations commence: 15 December 2026. Deadline to register: 14 March 2027.

East of England – Regulations commence: 15 January 2027. Deadline to register: 14 April 2027.

East Midlands – Regulations commence: 15 February 2027. Deadline to register: 14 May 2027.

South East – Regulations commence: 15 March 2027. Deadline to register: 14 June 2027.

Yorkshire and Humber – Regulations commence: 15 April 2027. Deadline to register: 14 July 2027.

North West – Regulations commence: 15 May 2027. Deadline to register: 14 August 2027.

North East – Regulations commence: 15 June 2027. Deadline to register: 14 September 2027.

London – Regulations commence: 15 July 2027. Deadline to register: 14 October 2027.

South West – Regulations commence: 15 August 2027. Deadline to register: 14 November 2027.

 

When you need to register will be based on where the property is located. If you are a landlord based in London with a property in the West Midlands, the West Midlands deadline will apply to that property. Entries on the database will be on a property-by-property basis. There will be a £65 registration fee per property, per year.

To begin with, only properties let on or after the relevant roll out dates will need to be registered. Eventually, all properties including those that are vacant will need to be registered before marketing – further details will follow from the government.

 

Who can complete the registration?

Landlords (including executors, liquidators and other capacities) will be responsible for registering. Offline registration will be available to those who need it.

There will be facilities for letting agents and property managers to upload information on the landlords behalf, but they will not be to undertake registration.

 

What information will be required?

Full details can be found via the following link: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/get-ready-to-register/#provide

The information required to be provided for the database includes:

  • Details of the landlord;
  • Details of the person making the entry, if it is not the landlord – for example, the executor of a deceased landlord’s estate;
  • Details of the property including its address, ownership type and whether it is currently let;
  • Tenancy information including the number of individuals and households in occupation;
  • The rental figure and frequency of payment and details of any included utilities; and
  • Health and safety information including gas safety records, electrical safety reports and EPCs.

 

Liabilities and non-compliance

Landlords will retain full responsibility for the registration process from beginning to end. If a landlord permits their agent to upload documents on their behalf, it is the landlord who remains responsible for ensuring all required information is provided.

If a landlord fails to maintain an active entry in the database and/or fails to comply with any requirements relating to those entries, they will only be able to recover possession of a property by serving a section 8 notice relying on grounds 7A (anti-social behaviour) or 14 (nuisance, annoyance, illegal or immoral use of the property).

If a property is marketed, advertised or let without an active and complete entry in the database, the landlord and/or agent may be liable to a fine of up to £7,000.

The full briefing can be found on the .gov website via this link: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/get-ready-to-register/

If you have any questions, please contact our residential possession team via possession@ellisons.com

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