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The new national landlord and property database is being introduced as part of the Renters’ Rights Act.
Landlords will need to register themselves and each of their privately rented properties.
Here are the key dates, costs and information you need to know.
Prefer to watch? Press play on the video above for a quick overview or keep reading for the complete guide.
Landlords will need to register themselves and each of their privately rented properties on the new national database.
The annual registration fee will be £65 per property, with registration renewed each year.
The registration service will begin its regional rollout across England from 15th December 2026.
For properties in the South East, registration opens on 15th March 2027, with a deadline of 14th June 2027.
For properties in London, registration opens on 15th July 2027, with a deadline of 14th October 2027.
Landlords with properties in different regions can register their entire portfolio from 15th December 2026 rather than waiting for each regional registration window.
|
Region |
Date regulations commence |
Deadline to register |
|
West Midlands |
15 December 2026 |
14 March 2027 |
|
East of England |
15 January 2027 |
14 April 2027 |
|
East Midlands |
15 February 2027 |
14 May 2027 |
|
South East |
15 March 2027 |
14 June 2027 |
|
Yorkshire and Humber |
15 April 2027 |
14 July 2027 |
|
North West |
15 May 2027 |
14 August 2027 |
|
North East |
15 June 2027 |
14 September 2027 |
|
London |
15 July 2027 |
14 October 2027 |
|
South West |
15 August 2027 |
14 November 2027 |
Landlords will need to provide information about themselves and each property, including:
A GOV.UK One Login will also be required to use the registration service.
Check the information you hold for each property and make sure your compliance records are complete and up to date.
Identifying certificates or information that need updating before registration will help you prepare for the process.
Landlords will remain responsible for starting and completing their registration. However, letting agents and property managers will be able to provide certain information on a landlord’s behalf. Further guidance on this process will be provided ahead of the service rollout.
Our team will be able to assist with certain aspects of the registration process, but responsibility for completing registration within the required timeframe will remain with you as the landlord.
If you’d prefer more support managing the requirements that come with letting a property, speak to us about our Fully Managed service.
We can help you stay prepared, protect your investment and minimise the hassle — giving you more time to enjoy the returns from your property.
Speak to your local lettings team today.
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Selecting the right agent for you should not be a difficult decision. Although you may find agents ability to deliver expert support, long-term, can vary. As a Landlord, you need to trust the agent to guide you through every step of the lettings process and manage your property once a tenant moves in. This is particularly important given the amount of new government legislation frequently introduced. Many carry hefty fines for non-compliance. The wrong choice can be costly, so please consider an agency's reputation carefully.
Over-valuing and setting an unrealistic rental price will cost you money. Rental prices can change almost weekly. So your chosen agent must demonstrate their knowledge regarding comparable properties competing for the tenant demand in the local area at the time of placing your property on the market. An agent with a high turnover of rental properties will show you recently let properties and the rent agreed. This will ensure a successful let within your specified timeframe and avoid an empty property.
With so many properties on the market, differentiating yourself from the competition is vital. Fantastic photos – perhaps utilising wide-angle and enhanced images – will help your property stand out on Rightmove & Zoopla. To maximise the interest, avoid agents that solely rely on the internet for tenant enquiries. Instead, choose an agent that combines excellent marketing with a proactive lettings team, who will utilise their rich database of tenants to maximise the interest in your property.
When it comes to advertising online, there are good, bad & ugly techniques like any marketing channel. Agents with an in-depth understanding of tenant behaviour whilst on property websites are at a distinct advantage. A strategic plan is strongly advised, instead of posting the advert and sitting back & waiting. Tie this with creating urgency before and on the viewings will give you the best chance of success.
Continual communication from the outset is key. Knowing how much activity your property has gained allows you to make informed decisions. It can be the difference between a let or a void period. Choose an agent committed to providing regular updates about the level of interest and feedback from prospective tenants.
It is your property; it is, therefore, your choice who lives there. Sometimes this may not be the person offering the highest rent. An open discussion with your agent about your preferences allows you to stay in control.
There are over 100 pieces of legislation that must be adhered to before a move-in takes place. Many of these carry hefty fines for non-compliance. Ensuring your agent informs you or actions them on your behalf means you will be protected before, during and after the tenancy.
Once let, and under property management's watchful eye, the information they provide from regular inspections is essential to the tenancy term's smooth running. These will help ensure your property is being cared for in the way you would wish. It also allows you to address any maintenance issues quickly and effectively to uphold the property's condition. Access to an online landlord portal will provide 24/7 visibility.
It is vital to ensure you retain all records, documents and statements relating to the tenancy. This not only protects you and your property against any damage once returned post-tenancy but helps with any personal tax obligations. These are now securely stored in an agent's online portal for easy access.
We genuinely care for customers, whether you are a current customer or thinking about using our services. Advice is always available from our Lettings Specialists. If there is anything you wish to discuss, please feel free to contact us. We can also help landlords looking to expand their portfolio, considering equity release or reducing your monthly outgoings, perhaps via a re-mortgage. Buy-to-let experts and Financial Advisers are available throughout the Robinson Jackson Group.
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