The government has confirmed that the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, the national landlord and property register created by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, will open for registration on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands.
What has been confirmed
- Registration opens on 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, with the rest of England brought forward region by region over the following 12 months.
- Each region has a three-month window to register once it is called forward.
- All landlords actively letting must be registered by 14 November 2027.
- Initially only let or occupied properties need to be registered; unoccupied properties are expected to follow under future legislation.
- Registration numbers will need to appear on adverts.
The fee
The registration fee is £65 per property per year, according to the government’s Housing Hub. There is no charge for the landlord entry itself, the fee is pro-rated during the rollout so early registrants do not pay more, and registration must be renewed each year. The regulations leave the fee to be set by the database operator based on its costs, so it may change in future years.
For a full walkthrough of the regional deadlines, what you need ready and each registration step, read our PRS Database registration guide.
What landlords should do now
- Check which region your properties are in and when it is expected to be called forward.
- Gather the documents you are likely to need, such as gas safety, electrical safety and EPC records.
- Keep an eye on gov.uk for the official “Register your rental property” service and confirmed fees.
The regulations also include a requirement to update entries within 28 days when information changes, and annual renewal for active entries.
Sources
- GOV.UK: Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters
- legislation.gov.uk: The Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026
- Housing Hub: Get ready to register
This article is general information for UK landlords, not legal advice. Check the current position or take professional advice.
