When does the landlord database open?

15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, then one region a month. Every region's deadline has passed by 14 November 2027.

How much does it cost to register?

£65 per property per year, according to GOV.UK, pro-rated during the rollout.

What documents do I need to register?

Your details, the property, the tenancy and rent, and the gas safety record, EICR and EPC.

Can I get possession if I'm not registered?

Once the duty applies to you, a court may not make a possession order while you are in breach of it, except on Ground 7A or Ground 14 (section 90 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025). This is general information, not legal advice.

The Private Rented Sector Database: do I have to register, when, and what do I need?

Last reviewed 2026-09-30 against legislation.gov.uk and GOV.UK · England only

The short answer

Do I have to register on the Private Rented Sector Database, when, and what do I need?

Yes, if you let a property in England on an assured or regulated tenancy. Under section 82 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 a residential landlord must have an active landlord entry, and an active entry for each let property, on the database — the GOV.UK service called 'Register your rental property'. It opens on 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands and then region by region; each region gets three months to register, and the last deadline is 14 November 2027. GOV.UK says the fee is £65 per property per year, pro-rated during the rollout. Have your gas safety record, EICR and EPC to hand.

When your region opens

GOV.UK's published schedule (rules start → deadline to register): West Midlands 15 December 2026 → 14 March 2027; East of England 15 January 2027 → 14 April 2027; East Midlands 15 February 2027 → 14 May 2027; South East 15 March 2027 → 14 June 2027; Yorkshire and the Humber 15 April 2027 → 14 July 2027; North West 15 May 2027 → 14 August 2027; North East 15 June 2027 → 14 September 2027; London 15 July 2027 → 14 October 2027; South West 15 August 2027 → 14 November 2027.

GOV.UK says you can register from 15 December 2026 whatever your region, but must do so before your own region's deadline. The requirement starts with properties that are let, or become let during the rollout.

Who has to register

The landlord of a dwelling in England let on an assured or regulated tenancy — yourself once, and each property. Supported exempt accommodation within the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023 is exempt. This guide covers England only.

What to have ready

GOV.UK lists your own (or your organisation's) details, the property, the tenancy and the rent, plus three safety documents: the gas safety record, the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Councils also suggest having your deposit protection details and any property licence to hand.

If those certificates are already in ServeProof, the tenancy file shows which are on file and in date, and which are missing or expired, so you can fix them before you register.

The fee

£65 per property, each year, according to GOV.UK. During the rollout the fee is pro-rated so that landlords in the first regions do not pay more.

What happens if you don't

A local housing authority can impose a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for a breach of section 82, and up to £40,000 for an offence under section 92 (section 91).

Section 90 adds a bar in the Housing Act 1988: while a landlord is in breach of the duty to be registered, a court may not make a possession order except on Ground 7A or Ground 14. Section 21 no-fault notices ended on 1 May 2026, so every possession claim now runs through a Section 8 ground — and registration joins the deposit rules as something that has to be right first.

Once the public side of the register opens, adverts will need to carry the landlord and property registration numbers (section 82(2)).

Questions landlords ask

When does the landlord database open?: 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, then one region a month. Every region's deadline has passed by 14 November 2027.
How much does it cost to register?: £65 per property per year, according to GOV.UK, pro-rated during the rollout.
What documents do I need to register?: Your details, the property, the tenancy and rent, and the gas safety record, EICR and EPC.
Can I get possession if I'm not registered?: Once the duty applies to you, a court may not make a possession order while you are in breach of it, except on Ground 7A or Ground 14 (section 90 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025). This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

verified 2026-09-30

Renters' Rights Act 2025 ss.75-92 (Part 2, Chapter 3: the database), in particular s.82 (duty), s.81 (fees), s.90 (restriction on possession), s.91 (penalties)
GOV.UK Housing Hub, 'Get ready: Register your rental property service', housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/get-ready-to-register (checked 30 September 2026)
GOV.UK press release, 'Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters', 9 September 2026

Next step

Check your certificates and deposit before you register

ServeProof generates the statutory documents free, serves them as files, and keeps a hash-chained proof row for every send. England only.

Check your certificates and deposit before you register All guides

This is not legal advice and not a substitute for a solicitor.