Medway is part of South East
Landlord register deadline in Medway
Register by 14 June 2027
Registration opens on 15 March 2027, in 136 days. You can register early from 15 December 2026.
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.
South East is the 4th of 9 English regions to register. See every region's dates.
How many rented homes in Medway need registering?
Medway had 22,491 privately rented homes at the 2021 Census, 20% of households, close to England's 20%. That's the 18th highest of 64 councils in South East. Each of those homes needs registering by 14 June 2027.
The average private rent in Medway was £1,235 a month in September 2026, below the South East average of £1,438. It's the 13th cheapest of 64 councils in South East. Rents rose 1.6% over the year, against 3.5% across the region.
| 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed £897 | 2 bed £1,140 | 3 bed £1,340 | 4+ bed £1,827 |
At that rent, the £65 yearly register fee works out at about 2 days' rent per property.
Of homes in Medway with an EPC, 52% are rated C or above, close to England's 53% and the 22nd least efficient of 64 councils in South East. About 5 in 10 are D or below and would need work if the proposed EPC C rule for 2030 becomes law. EPC rules for landlords.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 (tenure), ONS Price Index of Private Rents, ONS EPC data for EPCs lodged in the 10 years to March 2025, all tenures.
Renting in Medway? Check a rent increase against local rents, or see your rights as a renter.
Does Medway have landlord licensing?
Yes. Medway runs 2 licensing schemes. A licence is needed on top of registering, and you'll give its details when you register.
Additional HMO licensing: Six wards (from January 2027)
Chatham Central and Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, and Watling wards
Selective licensing: Seven wards (from January 2027)
Chatham Central and Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North and Frindsbury, and Watling wards
What fines can Medway give landlords?
Medway can fine landlords who aren't registered once the deadline passes on 14 June 2027: up to £7,000, or £40,000 for false information or repeat breaches. How fines and enforcement work.
Medway's civil penalty policy
This predates the Renters' Rights Act. Expect Medway to publish an update before it starts enforcing in June 2027.
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
When do landlords in Medway have to register?
By 14 June 2027. Properties in Medway follow the South East timetable, which opens on 15 March 2027. The deadline follows the property, so it applies wherever you live.
Does Medway have selective licensing?
Yes. Medway runs selective licensing (Seven wards (from January 2027)) covering chatham Central and Brompton, Fort Pitt, Gillingham North, Gillingham South, Luton, Strood North and Frindsbury, and Watling wards, until 3 January 2032. Rented homes in the area need a licence as well as being on the register.
Has Medway updated its fines policy for the Renters' Rights Act?
Not yet, as far as we can find. Its latest published policy, Housing Enforcement and Licensing Policy 2020 (approved by Cabinet 12 May 2020), predates the Act. Expect an update before enforcement starts in June 2027.
What is the average rent in Medway?
£1,235 a month in September 2026, according to the ONS. A two-bedroom home averaged £1,140. The £65 yearly register fee is about 2 days' average rent.
Councils like Medway
Medway's nearest matches in South East on rent and the share of homes rented privately. All share the 14 June 2027 deadline.
- Arun £1,240 a month
- Ashford £1,253 a month
- Cherwell £1,316 a month
- Canterbury £1,288 a month
- Gosport £1,173 a month
- Folkestone and Hythe £1,189 a month