PRS database: when you must register
Under the Renters' Rights Act, every private landlord in England must register themselves and every property they let on a national database before marketing or letting it. It is run by central government (the service is called Register your rental property), not your council, and it rolls out region by region from 15 December 2026. Enter the property's postcode to get your official window.
Not sure how the database affects your setup? Ask in the free Discord. We track the rollout region by region.
Ask in the free DiscordThe full rollout schedule
| Region | Registration opens | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | 15 December 2026 | 14 March 2027 |
| East of England | 15 January 2027 | 14 April 2027 |
| East Midlands | 15 February 2027 | 14 May 2027 |
| South East | 15 March 2027 | 14 June 2027 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 15 April 2027 | 14 July 2027 |
| North West | 15 May 2027 | 14 August 2027 |
| North East | 15 June 2027 | 14 September 2027 |
| London | 15 July 2027 | 14 October 2027 |
| South West | 15 August 2027 | 14 November 2027 |
Official schedule announced 9 September 2026. Each region's rules commence on the opening date and landlords get 3 months to register. The fee is £65 per property per year, pro-rated during rollout.
What you'll need to register
- Your details: name, date of birth, address and contact details, for every joint landlord. Companies also give the legal entity type, Companies House or charity number and director details.
- Property details: address, dwelling type, bedrooms, occupancy, tenancy terms, furnished status, and the rent amount and frequency.
- Safety documents: gas safety record, electrical installation condition report (EICR) and EPC, or your MEES exemption if one is registered. If any of these are expired, fix that first: the compliance tracker keeps the renewal dates straight.
Common questions
When do I have to register on the PRS database?
It depends where the property is. The service opens region by region from 15 December 2026, starting with the West Midlands, and each region gets a 3 month window. The deadlines run from 14 March 2027 (West Midlands) to 14 November 2027 (South West). Registration must be complete before you market or let a property once your region's rules are in force.
Do I register with my council?
No. It is one national database run by the government (MHCLG), through a service called Register your rental property. Your council does not run it, but councils enforce it: they can fine unregistered landlords. Council licensing schemes (selective, additional and HMO licensing) are separate and still apply on top.
How much does registration cost?
£65 per property per year, paid by the landlord. The government has said fees are pro-rated during the rollout, and the money funds the service plus council enforcement.
What happens if I don't register?
Three things. Councils can issue a civil penalty of up to £7,000 per breach for marketing or letting an unregistered property, rising to up to £40,000 or criminal prosecution for repeat or deliberate breaches. Tenants can seek rent repayment orders of up to 24 months' rent. And, automatically, courts cannot make most possession orders while you are unregistered, so you cannot evict for arrears or to sell until you fix it.
Can my letting agent register for me?
The duty sits with the landlord. Agents can help supply some information, but the landlord starts and ends the registration and remains responsible for everything on it, including the details of every joint landlord.
Does the database cover Wales or Scotland?
No, England only. Wales already requires registration through Rent Smart Wales, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own landlord registers.
Sources: MHCLG Housing Hub, Get ready to register; gov.uk, Guide to the Renters' Rights Act; Renters' Rights Act 2025, sections 75 to 96. Regions follow the postcode's official (ONS) region. General information, not legal advice: confirm your position with the official service when your window opens.