The landlord register explained

If you let a home in England on an assured tenancy, which covers most private lets, you must register yourself and each property on the government's new Register Your Rental Property service. Not sure of your region's dates? Look them up by postcode.

What is the landlord register?

It's a national online database of private landlords and the homes they let in England, created by the Renters' Rights Act. The official name is the Register Your Rental Property service, and it's run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. You'll often see it called the PRS (private rented sector) database.

You sign in with GOV.UK One Login. There's also a paper application if you can't get online.

Who must register?

• Private landlords letting a property in England under an assured or regulated tenancy.
• Organisations that act as landlords, such as companies, charities, trusts and LLPs.
• Every joint landlord. One of you registers the property and invites the others.

During the rollout (15 December 2026 to 14 November 2027), you only need to register properties that are let, or become let, during that period. Later, you'll have to register a property before you advertise it.

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) needs one registration for the property, not one per room. You still need any HMO licence separately.

When do I need to register?

England is split into nine regions, each with a three-month window. You must register before midnight on your region's last day, and you can register early once the service opens on 15 December 2026.

Your region depends on the property's local council area, not where you live. Use the register date finder with the property's postcode.

How much does it cost?

• £65 per property, per year. There's no VAT.
• Registering yourself as a landlord is free, and so are updates to your record.
• Your first payment is pro-rated during the rollout: you aren't charged for any time before 15 November 2027. GOV.UK's examples: registering on 15 December 2026 costs £5.34, and registering on 25 June 2027 costs £39.60.
• All your properties renew on the same date: one year after you register your first one.
• GOV.UK says the fee is tax-deductible as a letting expense.

What information do I need?

To start, have these ready:

• The property's address, type, number of bedrooms and whether it's let
• A correspondence address in England or Wales
• Contact details for any managing agent, superior landlord or freeholder

Then, within 28 days of submitting, you need to add:

• Your gas safety certificate (if the property has gas)
• Your electrical safety certificate (EICR)
• Your Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
• Tenancy and rent details
• Any licences, such as an HMO licence

After that, you must update your record within 28 days of any change, for example a renewed safety certificate or a new tenant. Updates are free.

Can my letting agent register for me?

No. The landlord has to start the registration and stays legally responsible. Once the property is registered, you can ask your agent to add the tenancy and safety information, but you're still responsible for completing the record within 28 days.

What happens if I don't register?

• Up to £7,000Fine for failing to register.
• Up to £40,000Fine for knowingly or recklessly giving false information, or for repeated breaches.
• Rent repayment ordersTenants can apply to a tribunal to get rent back for certain breaches, once their area's window has opened.
• Problems regaining possessionCourts won't normally grant a possession order without an active registration for the property.

What to do now

1. Check your region's window with the register date finder.
2. Gather your gas safety certificate, EICR and EPC, and check none are about to expire. Our compliance checklist lists everything you need.
3. Set up GOV.UK One Login if you don't already have one.
4. Agree with any joint landlords who will start the registration.
5. Register before your region's deadline. You can do it as soon as the service opens.