Landlord Database Starts This December – What Landlords Need to Do
The £65 registration fee isn't the part landlords should be most concerned about. England's new landlord database is due to begin rolling out from December 2026 — and failing to comply could have much bigger consequences.
In a hurry? Here's what matters.
*Latest rollout details reported on 9 September 2026. Final requirements remain subject to Government regulations and guidance.
Why should landlords care?
It would be easy to see the new landlord database as another Government registration form.
It isn't.
The Private Rented Sector Database is intended to create a central record connecting landlords, rented properties and important compliance information.
Information currently spread across your EPC, electrical records, gas safety documentation, property licensing and tenancy records could increasingly form part of one regulatory picture.
The database isn't simply about proving who owns a rental property. It is increasingly about proving that the property is being managed correctly.
What is the landlord database?
The database forms part of the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Government intends landlords covered by the scheme to register themselves and the properties they let.
For landlords
A central place to demonstrate key property and compliance information.
For tenants
Greater transparency about landlords and rented properties.
For councils
Better information for identifying properties and enforcing standards.
Registered landlords and properties will ultimately receive unique identifiers, which will also become important when properties are advertised.
The rollout: what we currently know
According to the rollout information announced on 9 September 2026, registration is expected to begin in the:
The system will then be introduced across England on a regional basis.
Landlords are expected to receive approximately three months to register once the relevant regional window opens.
The nationwide rollout is expected to be completed by:
14 November 2027
Don't assume your entire portfolio will have one deadline. Different properties may enter the registration system at different times.
How much will it cost?
The latest announced charge is:
For one property, that may not appear significant. For larger portfolios, it becomes another recurring operating cost.
| Portfolio | Estimated annual cost |
|---|---|
| 1 property | £65 |
| 3 properties | £195 |
| 5 properties | £325 |
| 10 properties | £650 |
| 20 properties | £1,300 |
The important word is annual. Landlords should therefore budget for registration as an ongoing compliance cost.
What information could you need?
Detailed regulations will determine exactly what landlords must provide. Government plans have already indicated that information is expected to cover both the landlord and the property.
About the landlord
- Landlord contact details
- Joint landlord information where applicable
- Ownership information
About the property
- Full property address
- House or flat
- Number of bedrooms
- Households or residents
- Occupancy status
- Whether furnished
Safety & compliance
- Gas safety information
- Electrical safety information
- Energy Performance Certificate
- Potential property licensing details
Don't wait for the registration website
Imagine beginning your registration and discovering that your EPC has expired, you cannot locate the current EICR or the ownership details across your records don't match.
That is the situation landlords should try to avoid.
Create one compliance file for every property
Check that it is valid and record the expiry date.
Check the inspection date and confirm that any required remedial work was completed.
Where applicable, check the current certificate and next inspection date.
Check whether HMO, additional or selective licensing applies.
Confirm the legal landlord information is consistent across records.
Keep accurate details of occupancy and tenancy commencement dates.
Keep one master compliance record
For portfolio landlords, a simple overview can make problems obvious before they become urgent.
| Property | EPC | EICR | Gas | Licence | Database |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Property 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | N/A | Pending |
| Property 2 | ✓ | Due soon | ✓ | ✓ | Pending |
| Property 3 | ✓ | ✓ | Due soon | N/A | Pending |
When registration begins, simply add the property's database number and renewal date to the same record.
What happens if you don't register?
The Renters' Rights Act gives local authorities enforcement powers relating to the Private Rented Sector Database.
But the financial penalty may not be the biggest risk.
You could also have problems getting your property back
This is one of the most important parts of the new system.
Under the Renters' Rights Act, failure to maintain the required database registration can prevent a court from granting a possession order in many circumstances.
There are specified exceptions relating to serious anti-social behaviour.
This matters even more because Section 21 has been abolished. Landlords now rely on statutory possession grounds when they need to recover their property.
That might include situations where you need to:
- sell the property;
- move into the property yourself;
- deal with substantial rent arrears;
- or rely on another applicable possession ground.
It will also change how properties are advertised
Once the relevant database provisions are fully operational, the legislation restricts the marketing of properties where the required landlord and dwelling database entries are not active.
Written advertisements will ultimately need to include the relevant database identifiers.
This makes getting the compliance side of the property right before marketing increasingly important.
Does the database replace property licensing?
No.
The national database does not simply replace existing local property licensing requirements.
HMO, additional and selective licensing schemes can continue alongside the national database.
Depending on the property and local authority, you may therefore need both.
Seven things worth doing now
- List every rental property. Include the full address and legal owner.
- Check your certificates. Review EPC, EICR and Gas Safety records.
- Check the expiry dates. Don't simply confirm that a certificate exists.
- Check licensing. Confirm whether local licensing applies to each property.
- Correct inconsistencies. Make sure ownership and property details agree across your records.
- Create one property compliance record. Avoid relying on information spread between emails and different folders.
- Watch for your regional registration window. Don't wait until the deadline is approaching.
And if you use a letting agent?
A good managing agent becomes increasingly valuable as the regulatory environment becomes more complex.
Not because landlords should stop understanding their responsibilities, but because somebody needs to continuously keep sight of:
At Milton Keynes Rentals, this is how we believe property management should work.
Not simply collecting rent.
Keeping the property organised, compliant and moving forward.
Government facts at a glance
Confirmed through legislation and Government guidance
- The Renters' Rights Act 2025 establishes a national Private Rented Sector Database.
- Registration will be mandatory for landlords covered by the scheme.
- Government intends the regional rollout to begin from late 2026.
- An annual registration fee will apply.
- Landlord and property information will be recorded.
- Government expects gas, electrical and EPC information to form part of the database requirements.
- Unique identifiers will be allocated to landlords and properties.
- Relevant identifiers will ultimately be required in written rental adverts.
- Failure to maintain the required database entry can restrict possession proceedings, subject to specified exceptions.
- The legislation provides enforcement powers and financial penalties for non-compliance.
Latest rollout details reported on 9 September 2026
- 15 December 2026 rollout start
- West Midlands first
- Approximately three months to comply within each area
- £65 per property per year
- National registration expected to be completed by 14 November 2027