A new Landlord register is coming

Every landlord in England will soon need to register their rental properties under a new national scheme. Here’s what is changing, when it will affect London landlords and how you can prepare.

Another significant change is coming to the private rental sector.

The Government has confirmed the launch of its new “Register your rental property” service, which will introduce mandatory registration for landlords and their rental properties across England.

The scheme forms part of the next phase of the Renters’ Rights Act reforms and will be introduced region by region from 15 December 2026.

For landlords, it means another important compliance requirement to understand — but there is time to prepare.

 

What is the new landlord register?

The new service will create a national database of landlords and privately rented properties in England.

Landlords of assured or regulated tenancies will be required to register themselves and each property they let. The Government says the database is intended to improve transparency within the private rented sector, help responsible landlords demonstrate compliance and give local authorities better information for enforcement.

Registration will be a legal requirement, rather than an optional accreditation scheme.

 

When will London landlords need to register?

The scheme is being introduced gradually across England, beginning with the West Midlands on 15 December 2026.

For our landlords across London, the key dates are:

Registration requirement begins: 15 July 2027

Deadline to register: 14 October 2027

Landlords will therefore have a three-month window once the requirement comes into force in London.

If you own properties in different parts of England, it is important to remember that the deadline is determined by where the rental property is located, rather than where you live.

Landlords will also be able to register properties early once the service opens, should they wish to deal with their portfolio at the same time.

 

How much will it cost?

The annual registration fee has been set at £65 per property.

Registration will need to be renewed each year, meaning landlords with multiple properties should factor the annual cost across their portfolio into their planning.

Failure to register when legally required could result in financial penalties.

 

What information will landlords need?

This isn't simply a register of names and addresses.

Landlords will be expected to provide information about themselves, their property and the tenancy. This includes details such as the property's ownership and occupancy, rent and tenancy information and, where relevant, licensing details.

Information relating to key compliance requirements, including gas safety, electrical safety and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), will also form part of the information required.

For landlords, this makes accurate and up-to-date property records increasingly important.

 

What does this mean if James Anderson manages your property?

The landlord will remain responsible for completing their registration.

However, letting and managing agents will have an important supporting role. The Government has said further guidance for agents and property managers will be issued before the service goes live.

For our managed landlords, we will continue to monitor the rollout closely and keep our clients informed as further guidance becomes available.

If you are unsure whether your documentation is up to date, now is a sensible time to review your property records rather than waiting until the registration deadline approaches.

 

Will registration numbers appear on property adverts?

Eventually, yes.

During the initial rollout, the requirements apply to properties that are already let or become occupied during the rollout.

The Government has said that further legislation will extend the requirements to unoccupied rental properties. Once that happens, landlords will need to register an eligible property before it is marketed for rent, and landlords and letting agents will need to include the property's registration number in advertisements.

This could make registration an important part of the process of bringing a property to market in future.

 

What will tenants be able to see?

The Government also intends to introduce a public-facing element to the database.

This is designed to allow prospective tenants to check registration information before choosing a property, while councils will have access to information intended to help them identify potential non-compliance and take enforcement action.

It represents another step towards greater transparency within the private rental sector.

 

Rent increase challenges are changing too

The landlord register wasn't the only change announced.

The Government has also confirmed plans to change how challenges to rent increases are handled.

Under the planned system, HMRC's Valuation Office will take responsibility for initial rent determinations, rather than tenants beginning the process directly with the First-tier Tribunal.

The existing Tribunal process will remain in place while the new service is developed.

 

What should landlords do now?

For London landlords, registration isn't required immediately. However, the direction of travel is clear: property records, safety documentation and regulatory compliance are becoming increasingly interconnected.

Ahead of the London rollout, it is worth making sure your EPC, gas safety documentation, electrical safety records, tenancy information and any relevant property licensing details are accurate and readily available.

The new service is one of several significant changes affecting landlords under the Renters’ Rights Act, and understanding what is required — and when — will be increasingly important.

 

We're here to keep you informed

At James Anderson, we are continuing to monitor the changes affecting landlords across South West London and will keep our clients updated as further guidance and registration details are released.

If you have questions about your rental property, its management or how the latest changes to the private rental sector could affect you, speak to n lettings team.

We're here to help you stay informed, prepared and ahead of the changes.