The initial stage of the Renters’ Rights Act came into effect on 1 May 2026 – its next phase involves the introduction of a Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database which is due to be rolled out later this year.
This will see the creation of a new framework for transparency and accountability across the rental market with a new registration service, Register Your Rental Property, forming the first step towards establishing this database.
The PRS Database will be a national register requiring landlords of all assured or regulated tenancies in England to register themselves and each property they let. Supported exempt accommodation is excluded. The initiative forms part of the government’s wider ambition to professionalise the private rented sector, ensuring that landlords, tenants and local authorities have access to key information.
Historically, there has been no single national source of information on landlords and rental properties. This has made it challenging for local authorities to identify non-compliance and for tenants to verify details about a property before entering into a tenancy.
The registration service will give local authorities access to information to help them identify non-compliance and take enforcement action more quickly. In future, tenants will also be able to seek comfort that their landlord or prospective landlord is registered.
Registration will start with all privately rented properties in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026 and then roll out region by region across England each month, culminating with the South West on 15 August 2027. Registration will be based on the location of the rental property, rather than the landlord’s home or business address.
There is a three-month registration window for each region and landlords from all regions are able to register from 15 December 2026 when the service opens, ahead of their applicable regional deadline. The regional deadlines are as follows:
Initially, registration will apply to properties that are already let or become let during the rollout of the PRS Database. Empty properties prior to marketing will be covered later, with landlord and property identifiers to be included in advertisements.
Landlords will be required to use a GOV.UK One login and register themselves as well as each relevant property. As part of registration, landlords will also need to provide information about themselves, the property, tenancy and rent, as well as licensing and safety information including gas safety, electrical installation and energy performance details where relevant.
The government’s annual registration fee is £65 per property, with registration renewed on an annual basis. Government guidance also confirms that the registration fee will be pro-rated during the rollout, so you won’t pay more if you sign up early.
Ahead of registration, landlords should check that their property, tenancy, licensing and safety information is accurate and relevant documentation is readily available.
The landlord must start the registration, though the government has said that there will be an option for a letting agent/property manager to upload some information on behalf of a landlord.
Registration will become a legal requirement as the service reaches each region. After the applicable three-month deadline, local councils will be able to begin enforcement action and landlords who have not registered risk being fined.
While some preparation will be needed, many professional landlords already maintain much of the information expected to be submitted. This means the database is likely to build on existing good practice, providing a clear and structured way to demonstrate compliance while supporting greater transparency and consistency across the sector.
Further government guidance was released on 29 October 2026
More information can be found on the GOV.UK website: Register your rental property service: guidance for landlords.
Although registration will not open until 15 December 2026, you can prepare now by setting up your GOV.UK One Login, if you do not already have one. You will need this to access the Register your rental property service when registration opens in your area.
For more information on letting your property, please visit our website.
Contact Amelia Greene or Nicola Thivessen
This blog was originally published on 13 July 2026, amended 02 November 2026.
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