Private Rented Sector Database (PRS Database)
The national register every private landlord in England, and each home they let, must join. It opens by region from 15 December 2026; all by 14 November 2027.
In short: The PRS Database, created by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, is a national register of private landlords and their let homes in England. It opens by region from 15 December 2026, at £65 per home a year. Letting or advertising without registering can lead to a council penalty.
Licensing and registrationThe Renters’ Rights Act
England. Checked against the law on 5 October 2026. Information, not legal advice.
Region opening dates: West Midlands 15 December 2026; East of England 15 January 2027; East Midlands 15 February; South East 15 March; Yorkshire and the Humber 15 April; North West 15 May; North East 15 June; London 15 July; South West 15 August 2027. Every let home must be registered by 14 November 2027.
What it involves:
- The landlord's details and each home's address, type and safety information (gas, electrical, EPC, licence).
- Keeping it up to date; the registration number goes on adverts.
- Tenants will be able to look landlords up.
Penalties: up to £7,000, and up to £40,000 for repeat or serious breaches; some possession grounds are blocked for an unregistered landlord.
Read more: The landlord database and ombudsman: when you must register
Related: Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman, Civil penalty
Where this comes from
Guides on this
Guide
The landlord database and ombudsman: when you must register
The Private Rented Sector Database opens region by region from 15 December 2026, and the landlord ombudsman follows. Every landlord in England will need an entry for each property before letting or advertising it.
Guide
What changed for landlords on 1 May 2026
The Renters' Rights Act came into force in England on 1 May 2026. Section 21 is gone, every tenancy is now periodic, and rent rises follow one procedure. Here is what a self-managing landlord actually has to do differently.
Guide
Do I need a licence to let my property? HMO, additional and selective licensing
Five or more people from two or more households need a mandatory HMO licence. Your council may also license smaller HMOs, or every let in an area. How to check, and what happens without one.
Template
The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026: a record that you gave it
Landlords in England had to give existing tenants the Government's Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May 2026, as the document itself and not a link. What it is, and a short note to record when and how each tenant got it.
Related terms
Glossary
Civil penalty
A fine a council can impose on a landlord or agent instead of prosecuting, for breaches of housing law such as letting an unlicensed HMO or ignoring an improvement notice.
Glossary
Additional licensing
A council scheme that requires licences for smaller HMOs, below the mandatory threshold, in a designated area.
Glossary
House in multiple occupation (HMO)
A home let to three or more people who form more than one household and share a kitchen, bathroom or toilet. HMOs have extra safety rules and often need a licence.
Glossary
Mandatory HMO licensing
The national rule that any HMO occupied by five or more people forming two or more households needs a licence from the council.
Glossary
Pet request
Since 1 May 2026 a private tenant in England can ask in writing to keep a pet, and the landlord must answer in writing within 28 days and cannot refuse unreasonably.
Glossary
Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman
A new ombudsman every private landlord in England will have to join, so tenants can have complaints settled for free. Membership is expected to become compulsory in 2028.