Law watch: the landlord database from 15 December 2026
The Private Rented Sector Database opens region by region from 15 December 2026. Every landlord in England will need an entry per property before advertising or letting, and tenants will be able to look a landlord up.
Published 28 September 2026. Checked against the law on 27 September 2026.
What is coming
The Renters' Rights Act creates a national Private Rented Sector Database. Registration switches on by region from 15 December 2026. Once it applies in your region you need an entry, with a fee per property, before you advertise or let, and to use most possession grounds. Councils use it for enforcement; tenants can look a landlord up.
A single landlord ombudsman follows the database. Every private landlord must join; tenants complain there for free and its decisions bind the landlord.
What to do now
- Find your region's start date when the Government publishes the roll-out.
- Keep the safety certificates (gas, electrical, EPC) current: the registration asks for them.
- Note the fee per property in the budget.
What we will update
When the regional dates and the fee are published we will update The landlord database and ombudsman, the tenant guide The database and the ombudsman, and the deadline the audit tracks for each property. This entry will be re-dated at the same time.
This is information about English law, checked on the date shown, not legal advice.
Where this comes from
Questions people ask
Do I have to register on the landlord database now?
Not yet. Registration opens region by region from 15 December 2026. Once your region is live you must register before advertising or letting.
Would your paperwork pass?
The free landlord audit checks the evidence for every legal duty on your let, in minutes. Then the PA keeps the dates for you, free.