Lettings & legislation
The new landlord register: what property owners should prepare
The £65 annual registration fee, London’s 2027 deadline and the records landlords should organise before England’s new service opens.
England’s new rental property register brings an additional responsibility for landlords: maintaining a clear record of who lets each home, how it is occupied and the documents supporting its safety. For owners in London and the Home Counties, preparation begins with knowing the correct regional deadline.
Information checked: 27 September 2026 · Applies to England
What is changing?
The government’s “Register your rental property” service, previously described as the Private Rented Sector Database, is part of the Renters’ Rights Act reforms. Under the published rollout, landlords of assured or regulated tenancies must register themselves and their properties. Supported exempt accommodation covered by the specified statutory exemption is excluded.
Check the tenancy type before assuming a property falls within the scheme. A conventional residential letting, a company let and a holiday let do not necessarily share the same legal framework.
The £65 fee and the dates that matter
The published charge is £65 per property, each year, with annual renewal. The government says fees will be adjusted proportionately during rollout. For a portfolio, budget by property rather than treating this as one fee covering the landlord’s entire holdings.
The service begins on 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, followed by other regions. The timetable follows the property’s location, not the owner’s home address.
| Property region | Regional start | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|
| East of England | 15 January 2027 | 14 April 2027 |
| South East | 15 March 2027 | 14 June 2027 |
| London | 15 July 2027 | 14 October 2027 |
Owners with homes in several regions can register them together from the national launch, but must meet each applicable deadline. London’s deadline is therefore not December 2026.
Prepare one accurate file for each property
The most useful work now is a records review. Assemble the following, checking names, addresses and dates against the underlying documents:
- Ownership and contacts: the landlord’s details, relevant company information and the property manager or superior landlord where applicable.
- Property and occupation: the full address, ownership and dwelling type, bedrooms, households and occupants, and furnishing arrangements.
- Rent: the amount, payment frequency and any utilities included.
- Licensing: whether HMO, additional or selective licensing applies, with licence numbers where available.
- Safety records: relevant gas safety documentation, electrical reports or certificates, the EPC and any applicable energy-efficiency exemption.
A folder containing certificates is only the starting point. Check whether remedial work is outstanding, whether documents match the correct dwelling and when inspections or renewals are due. Keep a named person responsible for maintaining the file.
What your managing agent can do
Landlords will need a GOV.UK One Login and remain responsible for starting and completing registration. The service will allow agents or property managers to provide certain information on their behalf, with detailed guidance to follow. Agree responsibilities in advance, particularly where an owner lives overseas or several parties manage the portfolio.
Registration does not replace property management
Treat registration as a separate requirement alongside existing duties. Council licensing rules still need checking for each address; some properties require an HMO or selective licence. Safety, repairs, deposit protection and other landlord responsibilities continue independently.
The initial rollout covers properties already let or becoming let during that period. The government has identified a later stage for registering unoccupied homes before marketing and displaying landlord and property identifiers in adverts. Those future requirements should not be presented as already in force.
A considered approach
We recommend a property-by-property schedule recording the region, deadline, responsible person and missing documents. Resolve gaps early, then revisit the official guidance before registration opens. That creates a practical basis for coordinating your agent and advisers without leaving preparation to the final weeks.
General information, not advice on an individual tenancy. Requirements and implementation details may change; check the official guidance and obtain legal advice where needed.
