From 15 December 2026, private landlords are expected to be able to register on the Private Rented Sector database, which will record the landlord and property and provide a unique Property Registration Number. The Government has published the following materials:

• Draft Statutory Instrument: The Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026
• Press Release on PRS: Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters 
• Landlord Guidance: Get ready: ‘Register your rental property’ service
• Use of information: Register your rental property: Privacy notice  

What information is required on the PRS Database? 

Under the draft Regulations, landlords are expected to be required to register the following information (non-exhaustive list):

• Landlord details including their date of birth, a residential address, telephone number and email. 
• Property address and details of the property type 
• Rent information including the rent charged and how often it is paid
• The tenancy start date 
• Occupancy details including the number of occupants
• Whether the property is furnished and if utilities are included. 
• Licensing information (if available) such as HMO, additional or selective licensing if applicable.
• Key documents such as the gas safety record (if there is a gas supply), the electrical installation condition report (EICR) and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) where one has been given to the tenant, MEES exemption details and whether the EPC has expired.
  

The guidance confirms that local authorities will have access to the information held on the Private Rented Sector database, enabling them to carry out their enforcement functions more effectively.  Some information is also expected to be accessible to tenants, although the extent to which information will be publicly available has not yet been finalised. Further guidance will be published on the Government website as the PRS Database is rolled out.

How much will it cost to register on the PRS Database?

Current Government materials indicate that a registration fee of £65 per property will be payable and that where a landlord registers a property before its designated registration window, the fee will be adjusted on a pro rata basis. 

Registration will primarily be undertaken through an online portal. However, alternative registration methods are expected to be available for landlords who are unable to access the digital service. Further details of these arrangements will be published on the Government website ahead of, and during, the rollout of the scheme.

When does the Private Rented Sector Database start?

From 15 December 2026, the Government intends to begin the phased rollout of the PRS Database across England, starting in the West Midlands. Rather than requiring all landlords to register at the same time, the registration requirements will be introduced on a region-by-region.

Landlords who wish to register early may do so from 15 December 2026, even if registration has not yet opened in their region. However, they must ensure that registration is completed by the deadline applicable to the region in which the property is located. 

The proposed timetable under the draft Regulations is: 

Please note that the above registration deadline is based on the location of the rented property, not the landlord’s address. For example, if the Landlord resides in Birmingham but has let a property in London, the London registration deadline will apply.

Do the new rules apply to vacant properties?

Initially, the registration requirements are expected to apply only to properties that are let or become occupied during the rollout period. However, the Government intends to extend the scheme to vacant properties, requiring registration before a property can be marketed for letting. It is also anticipated that, in due course, property registration numbers will need to be displayed in property advertisements. Accordingly, landlords who anticipate marketing or re-letting a vacant property in the near future may wish to register it from 15 December 2026. Doing so represents good practice and will help ensure that property information is already recorded and kept up to date on the PRS Database.

What letting agents need to know

The landlord must start the registration process and remains responsible for ensuring that the PRS Database entry is completed and kept up to date.

Although letting agents and property managers may upload some information on a landlord’s behalf, the Government guidance makes clear that responsibility for maintaining the Private Rented Sector Database remains with the landlord. 

The draft Regulations impose an ongoing obligation on landlords to ensure that information held on the database remains accurate and up to date. Under the draft Regulations, landlords must record any material changes within 28 days of the relevant information becoming out of date. 

What should landlords do before the PRS Database opens?

Landlords should begin gathering and electronically storing all key property portfolio and compliance documents in one place. This includes up-to-date contact information, occupancy details, and gas safety records, EICR, and EPC. Any missing or expired documentation should be renewed before registration opens. Landlords may wish to register from 15 December 2026. There is no need to wait for registration to open in the region where the property is located. 

By organising this information in advance, landlords can streamline the registration process and reduce the risk of delays or compliance issues. 

Consequences of non-compliance

The duty to register on the Private Rented Sector Database derives from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Once the registration deadline for the region in which a property is located has passed, failure to comply with the PRS Database requirements may result in: 

• A civil penalty imposed by the local housing authority of up to £7,000 for an initial failure to register. More serious breaches, including continuing or repeat breaches and providing false or misleading information, may attract a civil penalty of up to £40,000, or alternatively criminal prosecution. 
• Where a relevant offence has been committed, tenants (and local authorities) may apply to the First-Tier Tribunal (Property chamber) for a rent repayment order (“RRO”). The Tribunal may order repayment of up to 24 months’ rent against the Landlord.
• Restrictions on possession – a landlord who is not compliant with the PRS Database requirements will be unable to obtain possession under most of the Section 8 grounds. The exceptions are Ground 7A and Ground 14. The Court cannot make a possession order on the restricted grounds while the landlord remains non-compliant. Landlords who discover non-compliance should regularise their registration promptly and take advice on whether any notice already served remains valid or needs to be re-served.

Summary

• Registration is expected to open on 15 December 2026, with deadlines set region by region between March and November 2027.
• The applicable deadline depends on where the rented property is located, not where the landlord lives.
• Landlords must keep their entry up to date, recording material changes within 28 days (under the draft Regulations).
• Non-compliance may lead to civil penalties or prosecution, rent repayment orders and restrictions on obtaining possession.

If you have any questions regarding the new registration requirements or would like assistance in preparing for the implementation of the PRS Database, the expert landlord and tenant solicitors in our specialist Property Disputes team are on hand to help. For more information and guidance, please get in touch with Fiona Hannaford on 01803 206209 or [email protected]

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. It reflects the law and draft legislation as at the date stated above, which may change. Specific advice should be sought before acting or refraining from acting on any matter discussed.