PRS Database Confirmed: What Landlords Need to Know About Registration
Time to read: 2 minutes
The government has confirmed how the PRS Database will work. Announced on 10 September 2026 alongside draft regulations, the service will be called “Register your rental property”. It becomes a legal requirement for private landlords in England under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Registration opens on 15 December 2026 and rolls out region by region over twelve months. For landlords, this turns compliance records into a public-facing, annually renewed obligation.
What Has Changed
The Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026 set out the rules:
- Fee: £65 per property, per year, pro-rated during rollout.
- Scope: properties let on assured or regulated tenancies.
- Rollout: each region gets a three-month window to register.
| Region | Opens | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | 15 Dec 2026 | 14 Mar 2027 |
| East of England | 15 Jan 2027 | 14 Apr 2027 |
| East Midlands | 15 Feb 2027 | 14 May 2027 |
| South East | 15 Mar 2027 | 14 Jun 2027 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 15 Apr 2027 | 14 Jul 2027 |
| North West | 15 May 2027 | 14 Aug 2027 |
| North East | 15 Jun 2027 | 14 Sep 2027 |
| London | 15 Jul 2027 | 14 Oct 2027 |
| South West | 15 Aug 2027 | 14 Nov 2027 |
What This Means for Landlords and Property Professionals
Registration requires more than an address. Landlords must provide property type, bedrooms, occupancy, rent, licensing status and compliance records. These include gas safety, EICR or EIC, EPC and any MEES exemption.
The landlord must start the registration. Agents may upload some information, but responsibility stays with the landlord.
Non-compliance carries weight. Civil penalties reach £7,000, rising to £40,000 for repeated or serious breaches. Unregistered landlords will also face limits on obtaining possession.
What to Watch Next
- Agent guidance, promised before launch.
- Rules requiring empty properties to register before marketing.
- Mandatory registration numbers on property adverts.
Conclusion
The PRS Database rewards organised landlords. Portfolios with current certificates and a single source of property data will register quickly. Now is the time to audit records, before your regional window opens.
Sources:
The Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026: legislation.gov.uk
Get ready: ‘Register your rental property’ service: Housing Hub (GOV.UK)
Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters: GOV.UK
