England’s Landlord Database:
What Landlords Need to Know

A plain-English guide to the new Private Rented Sector Database for private landlords in England: who must register, when, what it costs, the documents you will need, and how to get your portfolio ready before registration becomes compulsory.

England is introducing a new national register of private landlords and their rented homes. It is called the Private Rented Sector Database, created under the Renters’ Rights Act, and the government’s public-facing service is now called “Register your rental property”. Registration will be compulsory, it rolls out region by region from 15 December 2026, and it costs £65 per property per year. This guide explains what it is, who it affects and how to get ready, drawing on the guidance published on GOV.UK.

England only. Housing regulation is devolved. This database applies to England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own separate landlord registration schemes, so do not assume one identical UK-wide database.

What is the landlord database?

The Private Rented Sector Database, often shortened to the PRS Database, is a new central registration system for landlords and privately rented property in England. According to GOV.UK, its intended purposes are to:

• create a central record of landlords and privately rented properties;
• help landlords understand their legal responsibilities;
• allow landlords to demonstrate that they are compliant;
• give councils better information to identify and investigate non-compliance;
• give tenants more information before they rent a property.

It is worth being clear about what it is not. This is not a property valuation database, an investment-performance database or a rental-yield database. Based on the information published so far, it focuses on landlord identity, property details, tenancy information, rent, licensing and safety documentation.

When does it start?

The scheme is being switched on region by region. The first rollout begins on 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, and each region then gets a three-month window to register. The full published timetable is below.

A few points worth knowing:

• Birmingham is included in the first West Midlands rollout, so Birmingham landlords are in the earliest group.
• Manchester and Liverpool fall within the North West rollout, which opens on 15 May 2027.
• London’s registration deadline is 14 October 2027.
• The deadline is based on the property’s location, not where the landlord lives.
• If you own property in more than one region, you may register them together from 15 December 2026 if you prefer.

Who must register?

If you let property on an assured or regulated tenancy in England, you must register. That includes:

• individual landlords;
• joint landlords;
• landlords who own property through companies or other organisations, including SPVs;
• landlords who use letting agents or property managers;
• landlords with a single property and landlords with a large portfolio.

Using an agent does not remove your legal responsibility. An agent may be able to upload certain information on your behalf, but as the landlord you remain responsible for starting and maintaining your registration.

There is a published exception for supported exempt accommodation, as defined by the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.

What information will landlords need?

Registration will ask for details about you, the property, the tenancy, the rent and your safety documents. The clearest way to prepare is to gather everything in advance. Company and SPV landlords in particular should note the extra organisational details required.

↓ Download preparation checklist↓ Download document checklist

How much will registration cost?

The fee is £65 per property, per year. This is important, because it is not simply £65 per landlord:

• A landlord with five properties should expect five annual property registrations.
• Each registration must be renewed every year.
• The fee is intended to support the running of the service and local authority enforcement.

It is an ongoing annual cost, not a one-off payment, so it is worth building into your figures per property.

What happens if a landlord does not register?

The penalties depend on the nature and seriousness of the breach, but the framework published so far includes:

• civil penalties of up to £7,000 for initial breaches;
• penalties of up to £40,000 for serious, continuing or repeat breaches;
• possible criminal prosecution and an unlimited fine in the most serious cases;
• restrictions on obtaining a possession order, except in limited circumstances such as serious anti-social behaviour grounds;
• potential rent repayment orders for certain offences.

The point is not to alarm. For an organised landlord this is straightforward administration. The consequences matter mainly for those who ignore it, and the sensible response is simply to register on time.

Can tenants search the database?

This needs careful wording. The government has said tenants will eventually be able to access information to help them make informed renting decisions. However, at this stage:

• the exact public information has not yet been confirmed;
• not all landlord information will be publicly available;
• privacy safeguards are expected;
• certain offence and enforcement information may be made available;
• the initial rollout is focused on landlord and council registration.

In short, do not assume tenants can currently search a complete public database. That public-facing side is expected to develop later.

Will landlord and property numbers appear on adverts?

The Renters’ Rights Act provides for unique landlord and property identifiers. Current government guidance indicates this requirement will be introduced alongside the future public-facing interface. So while the framework exists, you should not assume you must include these identifiers on every advert from 15 December 2026 unless updated official guidance confirms it. We will update this page when it does.

Does the database replace local licensing?

No. The national registration system sits alongside existing requirements. It does not automatically replace:

• HMO licensing;
• additional licensing;
• selective licensing;
• existing safety obligations;
• existing tenancy and deposit requirements.

If your property already needs a licence, it will still need that licence. Registration is an additional national layer, not a replacement for local rules.

What should landlords do now?

You do not need to wait for your region to open to get ready. Sensible preparation now makes registration a quick task later:

• Create a property-by-property compliance folder.
• Check that gas, electrical and EPC documents are current.
• Confirm the correct legal owner of every property.
• Gather Companies House and director information for company-owned properties.
• Confirm the current rent and payment frequency for each let.
• Check HMO, additional and selective licensing requirements.
• Record the number of occupants and households in each property.
• Review whether any property is currently empty.
• Make sure joint-owner information is available.
• Check GOV.UK updates before your regional deadline.
• Avoid leaving it to the final month, particularly if you manage multiple properties.

Confirmed now vs still subject to guidance

The framework is set, but some operational detail is still developing. Here is a clear split of what is confirmed and what may still change.

How PROXERA can help

To be clear, PROXERA is not the government registration system, and it does not register you with the government. PROXERA is a property-management and portfolio-readiness platform.

PROXERA can help landlords bring the information behind their portfolio into one place, including property details, rent, documents, compliance dates, finance and portfolio performance. This can make it easier to identify missing information and stay organised as new landlord obligations come into force. The government database records whether a landlord and property are registered. PROXERA helps you understand and organise the wider health of your portfolio. It sits naturally alongside your compliance and Making Tax Digital preparation, and if you self-manage, our guide to managing your own rental property covers the day-to-day.

Frequently asked questions

Official sources

GOV.UK: Get ready for the “Register your rental property” service
GOV.UK: Private landlords and renting changes
GOV.UK: Renters’ Rights Act implementation roadmap
Renters’ Rights Act 2025, Private Rented Sector Database provisions
GOV.UK: Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act
House of Commons: Housing Conditions in the Private Rented Sector

Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. This article will be updated as GOV.UK publishes new guidance and the public-access details develop. It is general information for landlords in England, not legal, tax or financial advice. Check GOV.UK for the current official position and take professional advice on your own circumstances.