Stafford is part of West Midlands
Landlord register deadline in Stafford
Register by 14 March 2027
Registration opens on 15 December 2026, in 46 days.
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.
West Midlands is the first of 9 English regions to register. See every region's dates.
How many rented homes in Stafford need registering?
Stafford had 9,336 privately rented homes at the 2021 Census, 16% of households, below England's 20%. That's the 14th lowest of 30 councils in West Midlands. Each of those homes needs registering by 14 March 2027.
The average private rent in Stafford was £902 a month in September 2026, below the West Midlands average of £983. It's the 11th cheapest of 30 councils in West Midlands. Rents rose 6.5% over the year, against 4.4% across the region.
| 1 bedroom | 2 bedrooms | 3 bedrooms | 4 or more |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed £631 | 2 bed £792 | 3 bed £979 | 4+ bed £1,354 |
At that rent, the £65 yearly register fee works out at about 2 days' rent per property.
Of homes in Stafford with an EPC, 52% are rated C or above, below England's 53% and the 13th most efficient of 30 councils in West Midlands. 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 Stafford? Check a rent increase against local rents, or see your rights as a renter.
Does Stafford have landlord licensing?
No. We found no selective or additional licensing in Stafford, checked 30 Oct 2026. Only larger HMOs need a licence.
What fines can Stafford give landlords?
Stafford can fine landlords who aren't registered once the deadline passes on 14 March 2027: up to £7,000, or £40,000 for false information or repeat breaches. How fines and enforcement work.
Stafford's civil penalty policy
This predates the Renters' Rights Act. Expect Stafford to publish an update before it starts enforcing in March 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 Stafford have to register?
By 14 March 2027. Properties in Stafford follow the West Midlands timetable, which opens on 15 December 2026. The deadline follows the property, so it applies wherever you live.
Do I need a licence to rent out a property in Stafford?
Only for larger HMOs, as far as we've found. We haven't recorded a selective or additional licensing scheme in Stafford, so the national mandatory HMO licence (5 or more people from 2 or more households) is the one to check.
Has Stafford updated its fines policy for the Renters' Rights Act?
Not yet, as far as we can find. Its latest published policy, Civil Penalty for Housing Act Offences (page updated 18 March 2026), predates the Act. Expect an update before enforcement starts in March 2027.
What is the average rent in Stafford?
£902 a month in September 2026, according to the ONS. A two-bedroom home averaged £792. The £65 yearly register fee is about 2 days' average rent.
Councils like Stafford
Stafford's nearest matches in West Midlands on rent and the share of homes rented privately. All share the 14 March 2027 deadline.
- Nuneaton and Bedworth £918 a month
- Cannock Chase £868 a month
- Walsall £930 a month
- Tamworth £930 a month
- Wyre Forest £838 a month
- Dudley £855 a month