Landlord register fines and enforcement
Updated . Checked against official sources.
Once your region's deadline passes, letting or advertising a property without an active registration can cost up to £7,000. False information, or breaking the rules again, can cost up to £40,000 or lead to prosecution.
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.
What are the fines for not registering?
Up to £7,000 for letting or advertising without registering, and up to £40,000 for false information or repeat breaches. Each breach and its penalty:
| What you do | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Let a property without active landlord and property entries | Civil penalty up to £7,000 |
| Market a property before it's registered | Civil penalty up to £7,000 |
| Advertise without your landlord and property registration numbers (once further legislation requires them) | Civil penalty up to £7,000 |
| Carry on breaching after a penalty, or breach again within 5 years | Criminal offence: up to £40,000 civil penalty or an unlimited fine, plus a rent repayment order of up to 24 months' rent |
| Knowingly or recklessly give false or misleading information | Criminal offence: up to £40,000 civil penalty or an unlimited fine, plus a rent repayment order of up to 24 months' rent |
A council can't both fine you and prosecute you for the same conduct. Councils set the actual amount within these limits, and many have already published civil penalty policies.
Can an unregistered landlord evict a tenant?
Usually not. Once the requirement applies in your region, an unregistered landlord can't get a possession order, except on anti-social behaviour grounds. Registering late doesn't just risk a fine; it can stop you regaining your property.
When can councils start fining landlords?
Once a region's deadline has passed. Councils enforce the register, and councils in West Midlands can act first, from 15 March 2027. The government has said councils will use the register's information to target enforcement.
Enforcement dates by region
- West Midlands Deadline 14 Mar 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Mar 2027
- East of England Deadline 14 Apr 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Apr 2027
- East Midlands Deadline 14 May 2027, enforcement possible from 15 May 2027
- South East Deadline 14 Jun 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Jun 2027
- Yorkshire and the Humber Deadline 14 Jul 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Jul 2027
- North West Deadline 14 Aug 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Aug 2027
- North East Deadline 14 Sep 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Sep 2027
- London Deadline 14 Oct 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Oct 2027
- South West Deadline 14 Nov 2027, enforcement possible from 15 Nov 2027
Questions landlords ask
What is the fine for not registering as a landlord in England?
Up to £7,000 for letting, marketing or advertising without an active registration. A continuing or repeat breach is a criminal offence, with a penalty of up to £40,000 or an unlimited fine.
What if I give the register wrong information?
Knowingly or recklessly giving false or misleading information is a criminal offence. The council can impose a civil penalty of up to £40,000 or prosecute, and tenants can seek a rent repayment order of up to 24 months' rent.
Can I be fined before my region's deadline?
No. Enforcement starts once your region's deadline has passed. You can register early, from 15 December 2026.
Who enforces the landlord register?
Your local council, for properties in its area.
Get an email before your deadline
One email when registration opens for your area, then 30 and 7 days before the deadline. Nothing else.
Last checked against official sources on 20 October 2026. Sources.