Residential landlords in England now face a new compliance requirement as the Government introduces its Register Your Rental Property service.
The service will roll out region by region from 15 December 2026, beginning in the West Midlands. For Yorkshire and the Humber, the requirement will commence on 15 April 2027, with landlords having until 14 July 2027 to register.
What is changing?
Landlords of assured or regulated tenancies will need to register themselves and each property they let through the new service.
There will be an annual fee of £65 per property, and registrations will need to be renewed each year.
Landlords will need to provide information about themselves, their properties and tenancies, including details such as the number of occupants and bedrooms and the rent being charged. They will also need to provide relevant health and safety information, including gas safety, electrical safety and Energy Performance Certificate information where applicable.
Landlords who use a letting agent or property manager will still be responsible for starting and completing the registration process, although an agent or property manager will be able to provide certain information on their behalf. The Government has said further guidance on how this will work will be published before the service launches.
What does this mean for landlords?
The new service will create additional administrative responsibilities for landlords, particularly those managing larger property portfolios.
Landlords who fail to register their properties by the relevant deadline risk enforcement action, including fines. Once registration requirements apply in a region, landlords will have a three-month window in which to register before councils can begin enforcement activity.
Further requirements are also expected in the future. The Government says that, under future legislation, unoccupied properties will need to be registered before they or their agents can market them for let. Further guidance will be provided ahead of this requirement.
What should landlords do now?
Although the rollout does not begin until December 2026, landlords can start preparing for the new requirements.
This could include reviewing property portfolios, checking that key compliance and safety documents are up to date and familiarising themselves with the information that will need to be provided.
Those working with letting agents or property managers may also want to consider how information will be managed ahead of registration.
Taking action early can help landlords prepare for the registration deadline that applies to their properties.
How we can help
The new register is one of a number of regulatory changes affecting residential landlords. Understanding your obligations and preparing ahead of the relevant registration deadline can help reduce the risk of non-compliance.
For advice on how these changes could affect you, your property portfolio or your wider responsibilities as a landlord, we’re here to help. Get in touch with Seema Gabbi.
This publication is for general information only; it does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon. We make no guarantees that the content is complete, accurate, or current. Seek legal advice before acting on any information contained here. Schofield Sweeney LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (OC303400).