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PRS Database for Landlords: Everything You Need to Know

13th September 2026
  • Blog
  • Landlords

The Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database is a mandatory national digital register for all landlords and privately rented properties in England, introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act. It requires landlords to create active digital entries for themselves and each property they let out.

Key Details for Landlords

  • • Timeline: The government announced on 9th September 2026 that it will start rolling out the PRS Database of landlords and privately rented properties, on a region-by-region basis in England on 15 December 2026. The roll-out of the database will start with the West Midlands, where landlords will have until 14 March 2027 to register their rental properties. By 14 November 2027, all rental properties in scope in England will need to have been registered.
  • • Information We Believe Will Be Required: Landlords must provide verified identity/contact details, proof of ownership, and compliance documents for each dwelling (e.g., EPC rating, Gas Safety Certificate, Electrical Installation Condition Report, and any property licensing like HMOs)
  • • Penalties: Failure to comply will be heavily penalised. Non-registration can lead to initial civil fines of £7,000, which can escalate to up to £40,000 for repeated or deliberate breaches. Unregistered landlords will also be unable to regain possession of their properties through standard Section 8 eviction grounds
  • • Cost: It will cost landlords £65 to register each property on the PRS Database, and they will need to renew their registrations each year and pay the £65 fee for each renewal.

Benefits for Tenants & Councils

  • • Public Searchability: The database will be partially accessible to the public, allowing prospective tenants to verify a landlord's registration status and view basic property compliance information before committing to a tenancy
  • • Better Enforcement: Local housing authorities will use the system to easily cross-reference records, allowing them to proactively identify non-compliant or rogue operators without relying solely on tenant complaints.

How to Prepare for the PRS Database

As registration requires clear, defensible compliance structures, landlords should proactively ensure all their safety certificates are current, verify property licensing requirements, and maintain accurate records of maintenance and repairs. The database will operate under specific privacy safeguards managed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). You can view the full data management parameters on the Private Rented Sector Database Privacy Notice published on GOV.UK

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who Will Need to Register?

Registration is compulsory for all private landlords, regardless of the size of their portfolio, or when they became a landlord.

This includes:

  • Individual landlords.
  • Joint property owners.
  • Corporate landlords.
  • Landlords who use a letting agent.

For self-managing landlords, these changes are likely to increase the administrative burden. As the new requirements come into force, keeping up with tighter regulations will become more important and failing to comply could lead to fines, penalties or other enforcement action.

While the required information will be officially confirmed closer to launch, landlords should expect to provide details including:

Landlord Information

  • Name and contact details.
  • Information relating to any joint owners.
  • Ownership details where required.

Property Information

  • Property address.              
  • Property type.
  • Number of bedrooms.
  • Occupancy details.
  • Furnished or unfurnished status.

Compliance Documents

Landlords should also be prepared to upload or provide evidence of key legal documentation, such as:

  • Gas Safety Certificate.
  • Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
  • Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
  • Any additional documentation required under future regulations.

Keeping these records organised digitally will make registration much easier.

Although landlords remain legally responsible for registration, letting agents are likely to play an important supporting role.

Many agents will be able to assist with gathering documentation, maintaining compliance records and submitting information on behalf of landlords where permitted. However, the accuracy of the information provided will ultimately remain the landlord’s responsibility.

The introduction of the database represents a significant change in how the private rented sector is regulated.

For landlords, it offers:

  • A clearer way to demonstrate compliance.
  • Easier access to guidance and regulatory information.
  • A central record of property documentation.

For tenants, it aims to provide greater transparency and reassurance when choosing a property to rent.

For local authorities, it should make enforcement against non-compliant landlords more efficient.

Next Steps for Landlords

To ensure readiness, landlords should start compiling all current safety and compliance certificates. Additionally, you can learn more about the register by getting in contact with our expert lettings team today.

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