Reading is part of South East
Landlord register deadline in Reading
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 Reading need registering?
Reading had 21,623 privately rented homes at the 2021 Census, 32% of households, above England's 20%. That's the 3rd highest of 64 councils in South East. Each of those homes needs registering by 14 June 2027.
The average private rent in Reading was £1,582 a month in September 2026, above the South East average of £1,438. It's the 13th most expensive of 64 councils in South East. Rents rose 1.3% over the year, against 3.5% across the region.
| 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed £1,120 | 2 bed £1,399 | 3 bed £1,680 | 4+ bed £2,365 |
At that rent, the £65 yearly register fee works out at about 1 day' rent per property.
Of homes in Reading with an EPC, 55% are rated C or above, above England's 53% and the 30th most 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 Reading? Check a rent increase against local rents, or see your rights as a renter.
Does Reading have landlord licensing?
Yes. Reading runs one licensing scheme. A licence is needed on top of registering, and you'll give its details when you register.
Additional HMO licensing: Whole borough
Smaller HMOs across Reading
What fines can Reading give landlords?
Reading 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.
Reading's civil penalty policy
Updated for the Renters' Rights Act, so it already sets out how Reading will fine landlords under the new rules.
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 Reading have to register?
By 14 June 2027. Properties in Reading follow the South East timetable, which opens on 15 March 2027. The deadline follows the property, so it applies wherever you live.
Does Reading have additional HMO licensing?
Yes. Reading licenses smaller HMOs (Whole borough) until 28 February 2031. It doesn't run selective licensing for single-household lets, as far as we've found.
Has Reading updated its fines policy for the Renters' Rights Act?
Yes. Reading's Housing Standards Enforcement Policy and Civil Penalty Procedure (committee report) (agreed 13 April 2026) covers the Renters' Rights Act, including the landlord register.
What is the average rent in Reading?
£1,582 a month in September 2026, according to the ONS. A two-bedroom home averaged £1,399. The £65 yearly register fee is about 1 day' average rent.
Councils like Reading
Reading's nearest matches in South East on rent and the share of homes rented privately. All share the 14 June 2027 deadline.
- Slough £1,567 a month
- Brighton and Hove £1,816 a month
- Portsmouth £1,374 a month
- Oxford £1,957 a month
- Woking £1,628 a month
- Southampton £1,261 a month