The New Landlord Database Is Coming: What Landlords Need to Know and What We Still Don't Know
The government has now confirmed that the new "Register your rental property" service, created under the Renters' Rights Act, will begin rolling out across England from 15 December 2026. For many landlords, this will be one of the biggest compliance changes in decades, requiring rental properties to be registered, safety documents uploaded, and information kept up to date on an ongoing basis.
While much of the detail is now confirmed, there are still some areas where guidance remains limited. Below is our fact-checked overview of what landlords need to know.
What Is the New Landlord Database?
The new system, officially called "Register your rental property", is the government's national database for private rented sector properties in England. Landlords of assured and regulated tenancies will be required to register both themselves and each rental property they let.
The stated aim is to improve compliance, give councils better access to property information, and help tenants confirm whether a property is properly registered.
When Does Registration Start?
The rollout begins on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands and then expanding region by region across England. Registration deadlines depend on where the property is located, not where the landlord lives. The final regions must be registered by 14 November 2027.
For ELA members operating across multiple regions, careful planning will be essential to ensure each property is registered before its regional deadline.
How Much Will It Cost?
The government has confirmed:
Landlords register themselves free of charge.
Each rental property costs £65 per year to register.
The fee must be paid again at annual renewal.
There is currently no announced portfolio discount for larger landlords. A landlord with ten properties would therefore pay £650 annually.
Who Needs to Register?
In general, registration will apply to landlords letting residential property in England under assured or regulated tenancies, including:
Individual landlords
Joint landlords
Limited companies
Trusts that let qualifying residential properties
What Information Will Be Required?
The government has already indicated landlords will need to provide information including:
Property address
Number of bedrooms
Number of residents
Rent charged
Landlord details
Property management details (where applicable)
Gas Safety Certificate
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
Landlords will need a GOV.UK One Login account to access the system.
Letting Agents Can Help, But Responsibility Stays With The Landlord
One important point confirmed by government guidance is that landlords must start the registration process themselves. Although letting agents and property managers will be able to assist with uploading information, legal responsibility remains with the landlord.
This means landlords cannot simply assume that appointing an agent transfers liability.
What Happens If You Don't Register?
The penalties are significant.
Councils will be able to issue:
Civil penalties of up to £7,000 for certain registration breaches.
Civil penalties of up to £40,000 for providing false or misleading information or for serious ongoing non-compliance.
In addition, failure to comply with database requirements may restrict a landlord's ability to rely on several possession grounds introduced under the Renters' Rights Act.
Areas That Still Need Clarification
While much of the framework is now confirmed, several practical issues remain less clear.
Licensing Delays
Many landlords operate within selective, additional, or mandatory licensing schemes. It remains to be seen how the database will accommodate situations where a landlord has applied for a licence but is still waiting for the council to issue documentation.
This could become particularly important in areas where councils are experiencing significant processing delays.
Expired EPCs During Existing Tenancies
Current EPC rules can allow a tenancy to continue even where the original EPC has expired, provided a valid EPC existed at the start of the tenancy. Guidance is still needed on how such situations will be handled within the new database.
Public Access
Government information suggests tenants will be able to verify registration status and certain compliance information. However, the exact extent of public visibility and what information will remain private has not yet been fully explained.
The ELA's View
The overwhelming majority of landlords we work with already maintain good standards, keep up with safety requirements, and comply with local licensing schemes. Our concern is whether this new system will genuinely target rogue operators or simply create another layer of administration for those already doing the right thing.
For landlords with one or two properties, the annual fee may be manageable. For portfolio landlords with dozens or even hundreds of properties, however, the recurring cost and ongoing administrative burden will be substantial.
There is also a real concern that increasing compliance costs will inevitably feed through into rents at a time when housing supply remains under significant pressure.
Final Thoughts
The new landlord database is now happening, and the key dates have been confirmed. The best advice for landlords is simple:
Ensure compliance documents are up to date.
Keep accurate records.
Review portfolio information now.
Prepare for registration before your region opens.
The ELA will continue monitoring developments closely and providing members with guidance as further details emerge. We will also continue holding government and local authorities to account to ensure compliance requirements remain proportionate, workable, and within the scope intended by Parliament.
For the latest updates on the Renters' Rights Act, licensing schemes, and landlord compliance, keep an eye on ELA news and member briefings.
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