The Landlord Database Guide (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 announced fee is £65 per property, each year.

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

Each property will receive a Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN) is a numeric code of up to 12 digits assigned to every addressable location in Great Britain which the government outlines "could allow cross-referencing to other sources of property information". The Government says they will also ask 3rd parties for information about you; naming "National Residential Landlord Association" and "Tenancy Deposit Scheme"

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, with registration numbers included in adverts.

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

Costs and portfolio registration

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

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

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

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?

The Landlord must start and complete registration yourself.

Agents can help supply tenancy information, licensing details and safety documents. However, Landlord remain responsible for providing the required information.

Registration happens through the government service. You'll need GOV.UK One Login for the online service.

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

Under the rules, Basic property information is still necessary when creating the entry however tenancy and safety information must follow within 28 days.

You must also update relevant changes within 28 days. That includes rent changes, renewed safety documents and changes to landlord details.

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.