Renters’ Rights Act: The landlord register is coming – don’t let it catch you out

Another part of the Renters’ Rights Act is on its way, and this one needs to be firmly on every landlord’s radar.

The new “Register your rental property” service (previously referred to as the Private Rented Sector Database) will create a national register of landlords and their rental properties in England. For Brighton & Hove landlords, registration requirements begin on 15 March 2027, with a deadline of 14 June 2027.

What do you need to know?

• Registration will be mandatory for landlords of assured and regulated tenancies.
• Each property needs to be registered, not just the landlord.
• The current fee is £65 per property, per year.
• You’ll need to provide details including the property, rent, number of occupants and bedrooms.
• You’ll also be asked for key compliance information including your Gas Safety Certificate, EICR and EPC.
• For HMOs, the register will ask whether the property requires an HMO, additional or selective licence, along with the licence details where available.
• It might sound like another piece of admin, but this is one not to leave at the bottom of the pile. Once the requirements apply, landlords who fail to register risk enforcement action, and being properly registered will also be relevant to a landlord’s ability to obtain possession in many circumstances.

Important for HMO landlords working with Coapt

As the scheme comes into force, we will require HMOs with tenants already in situ to be registered before we can take them on for management.

The register does not replace your existing HMO or other licensing requirements – it sits alongside them. So, if you are considering moving the management of an occupied property to Coapt, this is something worth getting organised early.

One important point: although an agent or property manager will be able to help provide some of the information, the landlord must start and complete the registration process themselves.

Keep your eyes peeled… there’s more to come

• • The register is only one of the next stages of the Renters’ Rights Act.
  • Landlord Ombudsman: a new mandatory redress scheme is being developed for private landlords, with compulsory membership currently expected in 2028.
  • Decent Homes Standard: minimum property standards will be extended to the private rented sector.
  • Awaab’s Law: new legally enforceable timescales for dealing with serious hazards will also be introduced for private rented homes.
  • Exact implementation dates for the Decent Homes Standard and Awaab’s Law are still to be confirmed.
  • We’ll continue to keep our landlords updated as the detail develops, so you know what is changing, when it affects you and what you need to do.

Want to get ahead?

The Government has already published a useful checklist of the information landlords will need, so now is a good time to make sure your compliance documents and property details are in order.

Get ready: Register your rental property – Government Housing Hub

Read the Government’s full Renters’ Rights Act guide