A major new compliance requirement is on the horizon for landlords in England. As part of the ongoing implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act, the Government has confirmed the launch of the new “Register Your Rental Property” service, creating a national database of landlords and privately rented homes.

While many landlords already maintain comprehensive records, the new system will bring those requirements together in one place and make compliance far more visible to local authorities.

What is changing?

All landlords letting properties under assured or regulated tenancies will be required to register both themselves and each of their rental properties on the new government database.

The service will be rolled out by geographic region across England, beginning in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026 and reaching the South West in August 2027. Each region will have a three-month registration window before councils can begin enforcement activity.

How much will it cost?

The registration fee has been set at £65 per property per year, with annual renewal required. The Government says the fee will help fund the operation of the service and support enforcement activity against non-compliant landlords.

What information will landlords need?

The register will require much more than simply entering a property address. Landlords will need to provide information about:

• The property and its ownership
• Number of bedrooms and occupants
• Rent levels and payment arrangements
• Licensing requirements, including HMO licences where applicable
• Gas Safety Certificates
• Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)
• Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
• Relevant landlord contact details

If a letting agent is involved, they may be able to upload some information on the landlord’s behalf. However, the Government has made it clear that the landlord remains responsible for registration.

What are the consequences of not registering?

The new database is more than an administrative exercise. Industry guidance suggests that landlords who fail to register could face significant penalties, including substantial fines and restrictions on their ability to recover possession of a property.

The database is intended to become a central source of information for both tenants and local authorities, making it easier to identify landlords who are not meeting their legal obligations.

Looking ahead

Initially, only properties that are currently let, or become let during the rollout period, need to be registered. However, future phases are expected to go further. The Government has confirmed that landlords will eventually need to register empty properties before marketing them for let, and registration numbers will have to be included on advertisements.

What should landlords do now?

Although registration deadlines are still many months away for most areas, now is a sensible time to prepare. Landlords should review their property records, ensure safety certificates are up to date, check licensing requirements and gather the information that will be required for registration.

For responsible landlords, the new register is unlikely to create significant difficulties. However, those with gaps in their compliance records may find that the new regime shines a spotlight on issues that previously remained unnoticed.

The message from Government is clear: the private rented sector is moving towards greater transparency, and landlords should start preparing now rather than waiting for their regional deadline to arrive.