The Government has announced further details of the new landlord registration regime under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA 2025). The new service, known as Register Your Rental Property, is expected to launch on 15^th December 2026 and will introduce the Private Rented Sector Database.

Although landlords will be able to register any rental property from 15^th December 2026, the legal requirement to register will be introduced gradually across England, beginning in the West Midlands before extending to other regions over the following months.

Landlords in areas where the service has launched will have three months to register properties that are already let or become occupied during the implementation period. The Government is also expected to introduce further legislation requiring vacant properties to be registered before they are marketed for letting.

Once registration becomes mandatory, landlords will be required to include registration numbers in property advertisements and other prescribed marketing materials.

Regional Roll-out Timetable

Landlords will generally have three months from the date the regulations take effect in their region to register affected properties.

What information will landlords need to provide?

To register a property, landlords will need to provide details about themselves, the property and its compliance status for each property they own. This is expected to include key documents such as tenancy and rent information, gas safety certificates, electrical safety certificates and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), together with confirmation of whether any mandatory, additional or selective HMO licence is required.

Landlords should ensure this information is accurate and readily available ahead of registration opening. If an entry is made and there is a change, any change of information must be updated within 28 days.

Failure to comply with the new requirements could have significant consequences. Depending on the circumstances, landlords may face financial penalties of up to £40,000, be subject to rent repayment orders and may be prevented from recovering possession of a property until the relevant registration requirements have been met.

Changes to Rent Increase Challenges

The Government has also announced plans to transfer responsibility for determining rent increase challenges from the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) to officers within the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an executive agency of HM Revenue and Customs.

The change is intended to speed up the dispute resolution process. Until the reforms take effect, rent increase challenges will continue to be dealt with by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).

What should landlords do now?

While registration will not become mandatory in all regions immediately, landlords should start preparing now, particularly those in the West Midlands. Reviewing property records, checking compliance documentation is up to date and ensuring any licensing requirements have been met will help avoid problems when registration opens.

For landlords with larger portfolios, gathering the required information now could make the registration process much easier once the new system goes live. Registrations must be renewed every 12 months and failure to renew may cause the entry to become inactive.

The introduction of the Private Rented Sector Database is another key part of the Government’s wider programme of reform for the private rented sector. Landlords who prepare early are likely to find the transition smoother and reduce the risk of delays, penalties or other enforcement action once the new requirements take effect.

For more information, please contact...

Navya Joginipally

Solicitor

Navya Joginipally is a Solicitor in Swinburne Maddison’s Dispute Resolution team, bringing a wealth of experience in housing and property litigation. She initially qualified…

navya.joginipally@swinburnemaddison.co.uk 0191 307 7608 Connect with Navya