Every rental home in England is going on a landlord register
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 creates England's first national register of private landlords and the homes they let. From 15 December 2026, every landlord has to sign up and list each property. Here's what's changing and what it means for you.
Subject to Parliament: the register's regulations were laid before Parliament on 9 September 2026 and still need approval. The dates and the £65 fee come from the government's announcements and could change. The draft regulations.
When's your deadline?
It depends on the region the property is in. West Midlands goes first; South West is last, on 14 November 2027.
What's changing
A register of landlords and rented homes
The government's "Register your rental property" service, also called the PRS database or landlord database. You register yourself once, then every property you let on an assured or regulated tenancy.
How the register worksRolling out region by region
It opens in West Midlands on 15 December 2026. Each region then gets a three-month window, finishing with South West on 14 November 2027.
Deadlines by region£65 a property, every year
Paid when you register and on each annual renewal. Ten properties cost £650 a year. The first fee is pro-rated during the rollout.
When your fee startsCouncils enforce it
After your deadline, letting without registering can mean a fine of up to £7,000, and up to £40,000 for false information. Unregistered landlords generally can't get a possession order.
Fines and enforcementTenants will be able to check
The government says tenants will be able to see whether a landlord is registered. Exactly what will be public hasn't been decided yet.
What will be publicLocal rules still apply
Council licensing schemes carry on alongside the register, and each council sets its own approach to fines. We've checked all 296 councils.
Find your councilWhat to do now
- Find your deadline. Check by postcode, especially if your properties are in different regions.
- Check your council's licensing. If a selective or additional licensing scheme covers the property, you'll need that licence too, and its details when you register.
- Get your paperwork in order. Gas safety record, electrical safety report and EPC details for each property, plus tenancy and rent details. The landlord certificates checklist covers each one.
- Register on GOV.UK once your region's window opens, or any time from 15 December 2026. Only use the official service.
- Renew every year and update your entry when anything changes, like a new tenant, a new certificate or a sale.
What registering involves
- Who has to register
- Landlords of properties let on assured or regulated tenancies in England. You register yourself once, then each property. Supported exempt accommodation is excluded.
- Cost
- £65 per property, renewed every year. During the regional rollout the first fee is pro-rated, so early regions don't pay more for going first. Ten properties cost £650 a year.
- Which deadline applies
- The one for the region the property is in, not where you live. A London landlord with a flat in Birmingham works to the West Midlands deadline for that flat. You can register any property early, from 15 December 2026.
- If you don't register
- Once your region's deadline passes, councils can fine you up to £7,000 for letting without registering, and up to £40,000 for false or misleading information or a continuing breach. An unregistered landlord generally can't get a possession order, except on anti-social behaviour grounds. More on fines and enforcement.
- Letting agents
- Agents can upload some information for you, but the landlord has to start the registration and stays responsible for it. The government plans to require registration numbers on adverts, once further legislation is in place.
Have these ready before you start
- A GOV.UK One Login account
- Your name, date of birth, home address, phone and email (or company number and a nominated contact for a company)
- A correspondence address in England or Wales for each property, not a PO Box
- Property type, number of bedrooms, and details of any freeholder, superior landlord or managing agent
- Number of occupants and households, and any HMO, additional or selective licence
- Rent amount, how often it's paid, and which bills are included
- Gas safety record and issue date, electrical safety report and expiry date, and EPC details (plus any MEES exemption)
You'll need to keep the certificates in date after you register. See when each one is due.
Get an email before your deadline
One email when registration opens for your area, then 30 and 7 days before the deadline. Nothing else.
Questions landlords ask
What is the landlord register?
A national register of private landlords and rented homes in England, created by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. GOV.UK calls it "Register your rental property". It's also known as the PRS database or the landlord database.
Who has to register?
Landlords of properties let on assured or regulated tenancies in England. You register yourself once, then each property. Supported exempt accommodation is excluded.
How much does it cost to register a rental property?
£65 per property, paid every year. The fee is pro-rated during the rollout.
Can my letting agent register for me?
Not entirely. The landlord has to start the registration and remains responsible for it, though an agent can upload some of the information.
When do I need to register?
It depends on where the property is. Registration opens on 15 December 2026 in West Midlands, and the last deadline is 14 November 2027 in South West. See the deadlines page for every region.
Is this the same as the registers in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?
No. Each nation runs its own register with its own fees and rules. England's is new and separate.