PRS database – what do landlords need to know

The Renters’ Rights Act is one of the Labour government’s flagship pieces of legislation designed to give renters greater security, stability and fairness. Its headline abolition of Section 21 evictions, or ‘no fault’ evictions, took effect from May this year.

One of its overlooked aspects is the introduction of a Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, officially called the Register Your Rental Property service.

The PRS database will be a national register of all privately owned rental properties across the UK. Landlords of all assured or regulated tenancies will need to register every property they let (with supported exempt accommodation excluded).

The government hopes to speed up the professionalisation of the sector by creating a single national source of information on landlords and their property. It will make it easier for local authorities to identify owners of non-compliant properties and for tenants to more easily verify property details before renting a property.

With the PRS database expected to hold some five million properties, registration has been sensibly phased by region:

• 15 December 2026 – West Midlands
• 15 January 2027 – East of England
• 15 February 2027 – East Midlands
• 15 March 2027 – South East
• 15 April 2027 – Yorkshire and the Humber
• 15 May 2027 – North West
• 15 June 2027 – North East
• 15 July 2027 – London
• 15 August 2027 – South West

Registration will open on 15 December 2026, with landlords able to register property in advance of those dates.

What should landlords do now?

Although registration does not begin until December 2026, landlords can start preparing by:

• Compiling up-to-date records for every rental property.
• Checking that gas safety certificates, EICRs and EPCs are current and accessible.
• Confirming ownership details match Land Registry records.
• Reviewing tenancy documents to ensure rent and tenancy information is accurate.
• Speaking with agents or property managers to clarify responsibilities during registration.
• Budgeting for annual registration fees, particularly where multiple properties are involved.

For portfolio landlords, carrying out an audit of property compliance documentation now could significantly reduce the administrative burden when registration opens.

The process of registration

Properties will need to be registered via the GOV.UK website. That registration will require then to:

• Provide details about themselves
• The Property
• Tenancy type and rent
• Gas safety certificate
• Electrical installation certificate
• And energy performance details

There is a £65 charge per property, renewed annually.

Landlords will need to check that have all the relevant information in advance of starting the registration process. Where a landlord uses a letting agency to manage a portfolio of properties, they will still need to start the registration process before the letting agent can upload relevant information.

Registration will become a legal requirement from the date of phased registration, with a three-month deadline to register all relevant properties. For example, landlords in the South East will have to register properties within three months of 15 March 2027.

Local authorities will be responsible for enforcement, and have the power to issue fines of up to £7,000 per property for minor breaches and up to a maximum £40,000 for serious and persistent breaches. Criminal sanctions can also apply where landlords knowingly provide false or misleading information. Here, landlords could be forced to repay up to two years’ rent to tenants and lose their right to repossess a property.

The introduction of the PRS database is another step towards a more regulated private rented sector. Landlords should view registration as part of a broader compliance framework that includes tax reporting, property safety obligations and tenancy management. Taking steps now to ensure property records are accurate and up to date will help avoid penalties and make the registration process more straightforward when the scheme launches.

How Kreston Reeves can help

For landlords with larger portfolios, the challenge is likely to be less about the registration fee and more about maintaining accurate records across multiple properties. Kreston Reeves can assist with reviewing portfolio structures, compliance processes and tax arrangements to ensure landlords are well prepared for the increasing regulatory requirements facing the private rented sector.

With registration approaching, landlords should start preparing now to avoid unnecessary delays and potential penalties. Contact our team to discuss how we can help you review your property portfolio, compliance processes and tax arrangements.