The Government has confirmed further details of the new ‘Register your rental property’ service, including when registration will begin, how much it will cost and what information landlords will need to provide.

The service is the public-facing name for England’s new Private Rented Sector (PRS) database, introduced as part of the Renters’ Rights Act.

Registration will begin on 15 December 2026, with the requirements being introduced gradually across England throughout 2027.

For landlords, this represents another important compliance responsibility to prepare for.

What is the ‘Register your rental property’ service?

The new service will create a national record of landlords and rental properties in England.

Landlords of assured or regulated tenancies will generally be required to register themselves and each relevant rental property. Supported exempt accommodation, as defined under the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, will be excluded.

The Government intends the database to give local authorities better access to information about the private rented sector, making it easier to identify non-compliance and take action where necessary.

In the future, tenants will also be able to check whether a landlord or prospective landlord is registered.

When will landlords need to register?

The database will not become compulsory across England on the same day. Instead, registration will be introduced region by region.

Once registration opens for a particular region, landlords will have three months to register.

West Midlands Registration opens: 15 December 2026 Deadline: 14 March 2027

East of England Registration opens: 15 January 2027 Deadline: 14 April 2027

East Midlands Registration opens: 15 February 2027 Deadline: 14 May 2027

South East Registration opens: 15 March 2027 Deadline: 14 June 2027

Yorkshire and Humber Registration opens: 15 April 2027 Deadline: 14 July 2027

North West Registration opens: 15 May 2027 Deadline: 14 August 2027

North East Registration opens: 15 June 2027 Deadline: 14 September 2027

London Registration opens: 15 July 2027 Deadline: 14 October 2027

South West Registration opens: 15 August 2027 Deadline: 14 November 2027

The relevant deadline will be based on where the rental property is located, rather than where the landlord lives.

Landlords with properties across several regions will also have the option to register them together from 15 December 2026 rather than waiting for each regional registration period.

Once a region’s registration deadline has passed, local authorities will be able to begin enforcement against landlords who were required to register but failed to do so.

Which properties will need to be registered?

During the initial roll-out, landlords will need to register properties that are already let or become let during the implementation period.

Initially, an empty property will not need to be registered simply because the landlord intends to let it in the future.

However, the Government has indicated that this will change under future legislation. Eventually, an unoccupied property will need to be registered before it can be advertised for rent.

At that stage, property advertisements will also need to display the relevant landlord and property registration identifiers.

Further guidance is expected on when these additional requirements will take effect.

How much will registration cost?

The annual registration fee has been confirmed as £65 per property.

For example, a landlord with one rental property would pay £65 each year, while a portfolio of ten registered properties would cost £650 per year.

Importantly, this is an annual requirement, rather than a one-off registration fee.

What information will landlords need?

Landlords should expect to provide information about themselves, their organisation where applicable, and each property being registered.

Property information is expected to include:

• Property address and type
• Ownership details
• Number of bedrooms
• Whether the property is currently let
• Number of occupants and households
• Rent and payment frequency
• Whether utilities are included within the rent
• HMO, additional or selective licensing information where applicable
• Furnishing status
• Gas safety information
• Electrical safety information, including the relevant EICR or EIC
• EPC details
• Any applicable Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) exemption

Having accurate and up-to-date property and compliance records will therefore become increasingly important ahead of registration.

Can a letting agent register on a landlord’s behalf?

The Government has made clear that the landlord will remain responsible for registration.

Landlords will be responsible for beginning and completing the process and ensuring that the required information has been supplied correctly.

However, landlords will be able to authorise their letting agent or property manager to provide certain information on their behalf.

The Government has not yet confirmed exactly which parts of the registration process agents will be permitted to complete. Further guidance specifically for letting agents and property managers is expected before the service launches.

This means landlords should not assume that their agent will be able to complete the entire registration process for them.

What could this mean for property advertising?

The database is also likely to affect the way rental properties are marketed in the future.

Once the next stage of the rules is introduced, an unoccupied property will need to be registered before being advertised for let. Relevant landlord and property identifiers will also need to appear on property advertisements.

For landlords and agents, registration is therefore likely to become another important step in the pre-marketing compliance process alongside matters such as EPCs, safety documentation and property licensing.

Is this the same as the new Landlord Ombudsman?

No. The PRS database and the Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman are separate measures introduced under the Renters’ Rights reforms.

The registration database is primarily intended to improve information, transparency and regulatory oversight within the private rented sector.

The Ombudsman, meanwhile, will provide tenants with an alternative route for resolving certain complaints against landlords without having to go through the courts.

Together, the measures form part of the wider changes affecting landlords in England.

What should landlords do now?

Although registration does not begin until December 2026 and London landlords will not enter their compulsory registration window until 15 July 2027; it is worth preparing in advance.

Landlords should ensure their property records are accurate and that key documents such as Gas Safety Certificates, EICRs, EPCs and applicable property licences are current and readily accessible.

Those with properties in several parts of England should also check the registration dates applying to each property.

Further Government guidance is expected before launch, particularly around the role letting agents and property managers will be permitted to play.

How Ladybird Living can help

For landlords using a professional managing agent, much of the information required for registration may already form part of the property’s existing management and compliance records.

At Ladybird Living, we will continue to monitor the implementation of the new registration service and further Government guidance as it is released.

As the requirements come into effect, we will keep our landlords informed of the key dates and practical steps relevant to their properties and assist with the property and compliance information we hold where appropriate.

The first registration window opens in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026, while registration for London properties opens on 15 July 2027 and closes on 14 October 2027.

This article is intended as general information and should not be treated as legal advice. Requirements may be subject to further Government guidance or legislation.