In September 2026 the Government launched the new “Register your rental property” service as part of the ongoing implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Landlords will be required to register with the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, and failing to do so could attract significant fines. Landlords who are not registered will not be able to market their properties for rent or increase the rent. They will also be unable to apply for possession on grounds of rent arrears or because they wish to move into or sell the property.
The PRS Database is a new, mandatory register for private landlords with rental properties in England. The database forms a key part of the Government’s drive to improve standards and increase transparency within the private rented sector. It will allow tenants to verify a landlord’s authenticity, consolidate safety and ownership data and help local authorities identify and track non-compliant properties and rogue landlords.
Landlords of assured and regulated tenancies will be required to register both themselves and each rental property they let. Joint landlords will need to register individually to obtain separate landlord registration numbers even if they share a single property on the database.
All properties that are currently let or become let during the regional rollout period must be registered. Registration will require renewal each year and the annual registration fee will be £65 per rental unit.
The landlord of a property will be responsible for undertaking the registration process and providing all required information. Letting agents and property managers are not permitted to complete the registration on a landlord’s behalf but they can provide support with the process and upload certain information directly to the PRS. Landlords will retain full responsibility for all information provided regardless of who uploads it.
Landlords should expect to provide details about themselves and their properties, including:
Although registration is being introduced on a phased basis, landlords should begin preparing now. We recommend gathering and reviewing all property compliance documentation, ensuring contact and ownership information is up to date, and identifying any properties that may require licensing or remedial compliance work before registration becomes mandatory.
Registration for all properties opens on 15 December 2026. The deadline for registration varies depending on the region the property is located in. The earliest deadline is 14 March 2027 for properties in the West Midlands.
A full list of which local authorities are included in each region can be found in Schedule 1 to the draft PRS Database Regulations.
Alternatively, the National Residential Landlords Association have produced an online tool enabling Landlords to enter their property postcode to find out its relevant deadline.
Unoccupied properties do not need to be registered at this time. However, the Government has indicated that it will issue further guidance on this at a later date.
| Region | Date regulations commence | Deadline to register |
| West Midlands | 15 December 2026 | 14 March 2027 |
| East of England | 15 January 2027 | 14 April 2027 |
| East Midlands | 15 February 2027 | 14 May 2027 |
| South East | 15 March 2027 | 14 June 2027 |
| Yorkshire and Humber | 15 April 2027 | 14 July 2027 |
| North West | 15 May 2027 | 14 August 2027 |
| North East | 15 June 2027 | 14 September 2027 |
| London | 15 July 2027 | 14 October 2027 |
| South West | 15 August 2027 | 14 November 2027 |
Our Property Litigation and Agriculture teams can advise on the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, landlord compliance obligations, tenancy documentation and the new registration requirements as they come into force.
