The Landlord Database Guide (2026)

Published 14 October 2026

Updated 29 October 2026

England's new landlord database is due to launch on 15 December 2026.

Landlords must register themselves and each property let under an assured or regulated tenancy. The government's service is called "Register your rental property". This applies to England, not the whole UK.

The annual fee is £65 per property, with reduced initial fees during the rollout.

It's so far being referred to as "The Private Rented Sector Database", "The Landlord Database" and now "Register Your Rental Property".

The service will issue landlord numbers in the format L-XXXX-XXXX and rental property numbers in the format P-XXXX-XXXX. These registration numbers are not Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs).

Landlord Database Guide

When do you need to register?

You can register properties in any English region from 15 December 2026. You don't have to wait for your region's window.

However, your deadline follows the property's location, not where you live.

Property region	Register by
West Midlands	14 March 2027
East of England	14 April 2027
East Midlands	14 May 2027
South East	14 June 2027
Yorkshire and Humber	14 July 2027
North West	14 August 2027
North East	14 September 2027
London	14 October 2027
South West	14 November 2027

Initially, the requirement covers properties already let, or becoming let during rollout.

Empty properties don't initially need registration. Future rules will require registration before marketing. Once the advertising requirement takes effect, adverts must include both the landlord number and rental property number. Including them is optional before then; the government will update its guidance before the requirement starts.

Supported exempt accommodation has a specific exemption. Check the government guidance for landlords if this affects you.

Joint landlords

Each landlord in a joint landlord arrangement must register individually. One joint landlord registers the property and invites the others to join its registration; you do not create a separate property entry for each landlord.

This includes someone who owns part of the rental property and is entitled to possession, even if they are not named as a landlord on the tenancy agreement.

Costs and portfolio registration

At £65 per property annually, the ongoing fees work out as:

One property: £65.
Five properties: £325.
Ten properties: £650.

The fee is not subject to VAT. Landlord registration and updates to landlord or property records are free.

During rollout, initial property fees are pro-rated to exclude days before 15 November 2027. The government's example gives an initial fee of £5.34 for a property registered on 15 December 2026, rather than the full £65.

All your properties share an annual renewal date, set one year after you register your first property.

Existing licensing requirements still apply. Database registration doesn't replace selective, additional or mandatory licensing.

For a property with an HMO licence, register the whole property once, not each room individually.

For portfolio landlords, allow time for individual registrations and payments. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) reports there will be no bulk import functionality.

Can your letting agent handle it?

You must start the registration and pay the property fee. You remain legally responsible for meeting the registration requirements.

Once you have the property registration number and the property is occupied, you can delegate tenancy, licensing and health and safety information to a letting agent or property manager. The service emails your agency a property-specific access link, which it can also use to keep those sections updated.

Agents are responsible for the accuracy of information they submit, but you must ensure the property record is completed within 28 days of registration, even when you delegate.

Online registration uses GOV.UK One Login. The landlord guidance says identity verification is optional. A paper-based application is available if you do not have digital access.

What should you gather?

Individual landlords will need:

Name and date of birth.
Residential address.
Telephone number and email address.

Companies need organisation details, registration numbers where applicable, and details of the person registering. They must also nominate a contact.

For each property, gather:

Address, ownership type, property type and bedroom count.
Landlord correspondence details.
Freeholder, superior landlord and property manager details, where applicable.
Whether the property is currently let.
Occupant and household counts.
Licensing requirements and available licence numbers.
Rent, payment frequency and included utilities.
Whether it is furnished, partly furnished or unfurnished.

You'll also need relevant safety information:

Gas safety record and issue date, where applicable.
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR), or an appropriate Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC).
Relevant electrical inspection or certificate dates.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) information.
Current tenancy start date if the most recent EPC has expired.
Registered minimum energy efficiency exemption details, where applicable.

The official checklist gives the full requirements.

Registration isn't a one-off job

Basic property information is necessary when creating the entry. You can provide the remaining tenancy, licensing and safety information at the same time, or within 28 days of registration. Missing that deadline can cause the property registration to become inactive, potentially leaving you in breach of your duties.

You must also update information within 28 days of any change or expiry. This includes changes to occupant numbers, rent or landlord details, as well as expired or replaced safety certificates. Delegating updates to an agent does not remove your responsibility to keep the record current.

Entries need annual renewal.

What happens if you don't comply?

Once the relevant enforcement provisions take effect, councils can impose penalties:

Up to £7,000 for breaching registration or updating duties.
Up to £40,000 for specified repeat or continuing breaches, or knowingly/recklessly supplying false information.

The £40,000 maximum isn't the standard penalty for an initial missed registration.

Certain database offences can also support rent repayment orders.

Missing a registration can prevent courts granting possession orders. Grounds 7A and 14 provide exceptions.

What about privacy and tenant access?

Tenants will eventually see some information, but public access comes later. The government hasn't yet published the final list of publicly accessible information.

Individual registration currently requires a residential address. The property entry separately requires a correspondence address in England or Wales.

The NRLA's FAQ says landlords can use business contact details. However, don't assume that removes the residential-address requirement.

Also, the linked government privacy notice references to gender, ethnicity, digital skills and accessibility aren't mandatory registration fields. References to NRLA and Tenancy Deposit Scheme data also concern that research.

The separate Landlord Ombudsman will follow later. The government's roadmap expects mandatory membership in 2028.