On 9 September 2026, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a new Private Rented Sector (PRS) database, which will require landlords to sign up to the ‘Register your rental property’ service as part of Phase 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 implementation.
The service will first be rolled out in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026 and will then be introduced throughout England on a region-by-region basis each month.
The purpose of the Private Rented Sector database is to help prospective and current landlords understand their legal obligations and provide tenants with information before entering into a tenancy agreement. It will also give councils access to information to help them identify rogue landlords and take enforcement action more quickly.
Registration will be a legal requirement for landlords, and those who fail to register could face a significant fine.
For an overview of the wider changes introduced by the legislation, read our Renters’ Rights Act 2025 guide for landlords and tenants and our Renters’ Rights Act 2025 FAQs.
What is involved with Private Rented Sector database registration?
Landlords will need a GOV.UK login to register a rental property under the service. A fee of £65 per property is payable on registration. This will need to be paid for each property registered and on each annual renewal.
Landlords will need to provide personal or organisation information, together with details about their rental property or properties, including:
- the property address;
- ownership type;
- number of bedrooms;
- the name and email address of the owner of the freehold property, any other superior landlord and the property manager, where applicable;
- tenancy information, such as the number of occupants, whether the property requires an HMO licence and whether the property is let furnished, partly furnished or unfurnished;
- rent information, such as the rent charged, frequency of payment and whether the rent includes utilities; and
- evidence of compliance with relevant health and safety standards, such as Gas Safety, Electrical and Energy Performance Certificates.
What does the Private Rented Sector database mean for landlords?
The new PRS database applies to private landlords with rental properties in England. It will not apply to private registered providers of social housing until 2027.
If you are a landlord of an assured or regulated tenancy, you will have to register yourself and your property or properties through the new service.
Once your area is called to register, landlords with properties in that region will have a three-month period in which to sign up. After that three-month period, councils in the region will be able to initiate enforcement activity.
All landlords actively letting property or properties will need to have registered by 14 November 2027.
According to current guidance, you do not need to register on the service if you are a landlord of supported exempt accommodation as set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. You can check whether this applies to you under section 12 of the Act.
When do landlords need to register for the PRS database?
The registration timetable currently varies by region. The deadlines based on current government guidance are set out below.
Private Rented Sector database registration deadlines by region
| Region | Registration opens | Registration deadline (by midnight) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
What is changing when tenants challenge rent increases?
It has been announced that HM Revenue and Customs’ Valuation Office will become responsible for decisions on challenges to proposed rent increases in England, taking over from the First-tier Tribunal.
The intention is to help people resolve rent disputes more quickly and reduce the pressure currently affecting the First-tier Tribunal.
For now, if a renter wants to challenge a proposed rent increase, they must continue to apply to the First-tier Tribunal. Where an application is made, the tenant will not have to pay the proposed rent until the Tribunal has made its final decision on the appropriate rent.
It is not currently clear when this change will take effect.
What should landlords do next?
If you are a landlord, now is a good time to review the records you hold for your property or properties and ensure that all documentation required for registration, as outlined above, is in place before your region is called for registration.
If you require further advice and guidance on the Private Rented Sector database or the wider implications of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, please contact our Property Litigation team.
This article was produced by our Property Litigation team. For more information or tailored advice, email propertylitigation@parissmith.co.uk.
Sources
- Get ready: ‘Register your rental property’ service – Housing Hub
- GOV.UK: Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters
- The Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026
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