The Private Rented Sector Database is the biggest change to landlord administration since the tenancy deposit scheme. Every private landlord and property in England will be required to register, region by region from 15 December 2026. Here is what we know now — and what to prepare for.
Status — October 2026: The PRS Landlord Database has not yet opened. The government has announced a region-by-region rollout: registration opens in the West Midlands first on 15 December 2026, with other regions following in turn until August 2027. Each region gets a 3-month window to register. This guide covers what the legislation says and what landlords should expect; check GOV.UK for the date that applies to your region.
The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database — sometimes called the Landlord Register — is a mandatory national register of private landlords and rental properties in England. It was introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (Part 2) and will be operated by the Secretary of State for Housing.
The database has two main purposes. First, it gives tenants, local authorities, and others a way to check whether a landlord and property are registered and compliant. Second, it gives the government and local authorities better data on the private rented sector — size, condition, compliance history — to inform policy and enforcement.
Unlike existing local authority licensing schemes (HMO mandatory licensing, selective licensing, additional licensing), the PRS Database will be national and will apply to all private landlords in England, not just specific property types or geographic areas.
Tenancy reforms in force. Section 21 abolished. All existing ASTs became Assured Periodic Tenancies. Information Sheet obligation arose.
Registration opens region by region, starting with the West Midlands on 15 December 2026 and finishing in August 2027. Each region has a 3-month window to register. The Landlord Ombudsman is due to follow, but its start date has not been confirmed.
Extension of Awaab's Law (damp, mould, hazard response timescales) to the private rented sector. Decent Homes Standard enforcement. Timing TBC.
DocPilot update commitment: We will update this guide as each region opens and when further details are confirmed.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 requires registration of:
The registration obligation applies to individual landlords, companies that let residential properties, and beneficial owners where properties are let in another person's name.
Letting agents will also have separate obligations — they will need to be registered and will have duties in relation to the properties they manage (see below).
Existing local licensing schemes still apply: The PRS Database does not replace HMO mandatory licensing, selective licensing, or additional licensing. If you currently need a licence from your local authority for your property, you will still need it — the national database sits alongside, not instead of, local schemes.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 sets out the categories of information that will be required for registration. The precise details will be specified in secondary legislation (regulations) when the scheme launches. Based on the primary legislation, landlords should expect to provide:
| Category | Information likely required |
|---|---|
| Landlord identity | Full legal name, contact address, date of birth (or company registration number for corporate landlords) |
| Contact details | Email address, phone number — the database will likely be the primary means by which tenants and authorities can contact landlords |
| Property details | Address of each rental property, type of property, number of bedrooms, current tenancy status |
| Compliance certificates | Gas Safety Certificate, EICR, EPC — expiry dates and certificate references |
| Licensing status | Whether the property is subject to any local authority licensing and the licence number if applicable |
| Enforcement history | Certain banning orders and relevant enforcement action may be recorded; how the database will interact with the existing Database of Rogue Landlords and Property Agents is still to be confirmed |
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 creates significant penalties for landlords who fail to register, provide false information, or let a property without being registered:
Letting agents who manage properties on behalf of landlords will have their own registration obligations. An agent managing a property where the landlord is not registered will need to take steps to ensure registration — or risk being penalised themselves.
If you use a letting agent, do not assume they will handle your database registration. Registration is likely to be a landlord obligation, with agents having a duty to assist and notify. Confirm the position with your agent before registration opens in your region.
Registration has not yet opened, but there are practical steps landlords can take now to prepare:
The Landlord Compliance Checklist helps you gather the certificates and records you will need for each property. Want every landlord template as well? See Bundles.
See the Compliance Checklist →