Southampton is part of South East
Landlord register deadline in Southampton
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 Southampton need registering?
Southampton had 29,860 privately rented homes at the 2021 Census, 29% of households, above England's 20%. That's the 5th highest of 64 councils in South East. Each of those homes needs registering by 14 June 2027.
The average private rent in Southampton was £1,261 a month in September 2026, below the South East average of £1,438. It's the 18th cheapest of 64 councils in South East. Rents rose 3.7% over the year, against 3.5% across the region.
| 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed £883 | 2 bed £1,117 | 3 bed £1,363 | 4+ bed £1,896 |
At that rent, the £65 yearly register fee works out at about 2 days' rent per property.
Of homes in Southampton with an EPC, 53% are rated C or above, close to England's 53% and the 29th 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 Southampton? Check a rent increase against local rents, or see your rights as a renter.
Does Southampton have landlord licensing?
Yes. Southampton runs one licensing scheme. A licence is needed on top of registering, and you'll give its details when you register.
Additional HMO licensing: Nine wards
Bevois, Bargate, Banister and Polygon, Portswood, Swaythling, Shirley, Bassett, Freemantle and Millbrook wards
What fines can Southampton give landlords?
Southampton 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.
Southampton's civil penalty policy
Updated for the Renters' Rights Act, so it already sets out how Southampton 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 Southampton have to register?
By 14 June 2027. Properties in Southampton follow the South East timetable, which opens on 15 March 2027. The deadline follows the property, so it applies wherever you live.
Does Southampton have additional HMO licensing?
Yes. Southampton licenses smaller HMOs (Nine wards) until 30 September 2030. It doesn't run selective licensing for single-household lets, as far as we've found.
Has Southampton updated its fines policy for the Renters' Rights Act?
Yes. Southampton's Private Sector Housing and HMO Licensing: Civil Penalty Policy 2026 (approved 28 April 2026, from 1 May 2026) covers the Renters' Rights Act, including the landlord register.
What is the average rent in Southampton?
£1,261 a month in September 2026, according to the ONS. A two-bedroom home averaged £1,117. The £65 yearly register fee is about 2 days' average rent.
Councils like Southampton
Southampton's nearest matches in South East on rent and the share of homes rented privately. All share the 14 June 2027 deadline.
- Portsmouth £1,374 a month
- Eastbourne £1,174 a month
- Canterbury £1,288 a month
- Thanet £1,125 a month
- Worthing £1,300 a month
- Folkestone and Hythe £1,189 a month