Private Rented Sector Database (Landlord Register)

Key facts at a glance

What the Database Is For

For the first time, England will have a national register of private landlords and the homes they let. The government's aims are to help tenants check a landlord before signing, give councils better information for enforcement, and help landlords understand their obligations. Each landlord registers themselves and every rented property, and keeps the entry up to date. A fee is payable.

What Landlords Are Expected to Provide

• the landlord's name, contact details and any company or joint owner details;
• each property's address, type and number of bedrooms;
• compliance information, such as gas safety, electrical safety and EPC records, and any licence;
• membership of the landlord ombudsman once it is running.

Some enforcement information, such as civil penalties and banning orders, may also be recorded against a landlord.

What Happens If You Do Not Register

Once registration is required in your region, a landlord who has not registered, or a property that is not registered, cannot be marketed or let, and the landlord will not be able to use most grounds for possession in a Section 8 notice. Councils can issue civil penalties for failing to register or for giving false information, with higher penalties for repeated or serious breaches. Tenants may also be able to apply for rent repayment orders.

The Database and Selling

• A buyer of a tenanted property must register as the new landlord, and the seller should update or close their own entries after completion.
• Buyers will want to see that the seller was registered and that compliance records are complete, because gaps can affect possession rights.
• Registration fees and the time spent maintaining records are one more running cost for landlords with many properties.
• If you are planning to sell in 2027, consider whether to register first or complete the sale before your region's deadline. Do not let a property go unregistered while it is let.

Official Sources and Further Reading

• GOV.UK: Guide to the Renters' Rights Act
• legislation.gov.uk: Renters' Rights Act 2025

General information for landlords in England, checked against official sources in October 2026. It is not tax, legal or financial advice: speak to a qualified accountant or solicitor about your own circumstances.