If you own or let residential property in London, a new registration requirement is coming.
The Government has renamed the private rented sector database the Register Your Rental Property Service. It was introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and will be introduced region by region.
For London landlords, the current commencement date is 15 July 2027. You will then have a three-month registration window, ending on 14 October 2027.
The Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026 have been published as draft legislation and have not yet been made. The Government has also published service guidance, including the £65 annual fee and regional registration deadlines. Details may change, so check the official guidance before acting.
This guide explains what the service means, what you will need to do, and how a professional management partner can help.
What Is the Register Your Rental Property Service?
The service is designed to create a central record of private landlords and rental properties in England.
Under current Government guidance, landlords of properties let under assured or regulated tenancies will need to register. Supported exempt accommodation is excluded. The registration covers:
- The landlord themselves
- Each rental property within the scope of the scheme
- Relevant property and safety information
- Changes to information within the required time
The rollout will happen region by region.
The West Midlands is due to go live on 15 December 2026. London’s commencement date is currently set for 15 July 2027.
Government guidance says landlords may register from 15 December 2026 if they wish. The legal deadline still depends on where each property is located: London’s current deadline is 14 October 2027.
You can also review the Government’s latest guidance through its Register Your Rental Property information.
The Two Entries You Need to Understand
The registration process involves two connected but separate records.
1. Your Active Landlord Entry
You must create an active entry for yourself as the landlord.
You must start and end the registration process yourself. Your letting agent or property manager may be able to provide certain information on your behalf, but you remain responsible for providing the required information. The Government says it will publish further guidance for agents and property managers before the service launches.
2. An Active Dwelling Entry for Each Property
You will also need an active dwelling entry for every rental property within the scope of the scheme.
The dwelling entry is expected to include information such as:
- The property address
- The number of bedrooms
- Whether the property is currently let
- Gas safety information
- Electrical safety information
- The property’s Energy Performance Certificate, or EPC
Your letting agent or property manager may be able to provide certain property information on your behalf. You remain responsible for ensuring the required information is provided and accurate. Confirm the agreed responsibilities with your managing partner and check the latest Government guidance.
What Will It Cost?
The Government currently states an annual registration fee of £65 per property. During rollout, the fee will be adjusted (pro-rated) so that landlords registering earlier do not pay more. It is separate from licensing costs, management fees and maintenance expenses; check official guidance for the current amount.
You should plan for:
- £65 each year for every registered property
- Annual renewal dates for each dwelling entry
- Additional administration if you own properties through different ownership structures
- The possibility that fees or detailed processes may be updated before the final regulations take effect
If you miss the annual renewal, the dwelling entry becomes inactive. It will then need to be reactivated.
An inactive entry could affect your ability to advertise or let the property. For that reason, renewal dates should be treated as important compliance dates.
Keep Your Information Current
The draft requirements state that information which becomes out of date must be updated within 28 days.
This may apply when:
- A new EPC is issued
- A gas safety record is renewed
- Electrical safety information changes
- The number of bedrooms or other property details change
- The property becomes let or vacant
- Your contact details change
- A licence or relevant compliance record is updated
A simple compliance calendar can help you keep track of these dates. You should also make sure that your agent or property manager has access to the correct documents and knows who is responsible for updating the dwelling entry.
What Happens If a Property Is Not Registered?
The purpose of the service is not to create unnecessary pressure for responsible landlords. It is intended to improve transparency and help local authorities identify properties and landlords.
However, registration will be an important legal requirement.
Government guidance says landlords risk a fine if they do not register by the deadline for their property’s region. The Renters’ Rights Act also provides for restrictions on marketing and advertising when the relevant registration requirements apply. The initial rollout covers properties that are let or become let during the rollout period; the Government says further legislation will address registering vacant properties before they are marketed. Check current official guidance for the rules and enforcement that apply to your property.
The London registration window is expected to close on 14 October 2027. You should aim to complete registration well before this date rather than waiting until the final weeks.
Registration Does Not Replace Licensing
The Register Your Rental Property Service is separate from local authority licensing.
You may still need to comply with:
- Selective licensing
- Additional licensing
- Mandatory HMO licensing
- Local planning requirements
- Health and safety duties
- Minimum energy efficiency requirements
Registering a property will not automatically give you a licence. Equally, having a valid HMO or selective licence will not remove the need to register under the new service.
Check your borough’s requirements separately. London boroughs can have different licensing schemes, property definitions and application processes.
If you use an agent, ask them to confirm which local licensing requirements apply to each property. Keep copies of licences and application records with your main compliance documents.
A Separate Change to Rent Increase Challenges
The Government has also announced a change affecting rent increase challenges in England.
The Government has announced plans to transfer decisions on certain rent increase challenges from the First-tier Tribunal to the HMRC Valuation Office. It says that, while it develops the changes, tenants who want to challenge a rent increase must still apply to the First-tier Tribunal.
This is separate from the Register Your Rental Property Service. Check official updates for the start date and final process before changing your rent review procedures.
As with the registration scheme, you should rely on the final legislation and official guidance when the relevant provisions take effect.
Your London Landlord Preparation Checklist
You do not need to wait until July 2027 to prepare. The following steps can make the process more straightforward.
1. Diary Both Key Dates
Add these dates to your calendar:
- 15 July 2027: London registration window opens
- 14 October 2027: Current deadline for London registration
Set reminders several weeks before each date.
2. Audit Your Portfolio
Create a list of every property you own or let.
For each property, record:
- The full address
- Number of bedrooms
- Current letting status
- Existing licences
- Current agent or property manager
- EPC expiry date
- Gas safety renewal date
- Electrical inspection date
- Any outstanding compliance work
This will show you where information is missing before registration begins.
3. Gather Your Documents
Start collecting your:
- EPC certificates
- Gas safety records
- Electrical safety reports
- HMO or selective licences
- Property ownership details
- Current tenancy information
- Agent or management agreements
Store these documents securely and use clear file names. A well-organised digital folder can save significant time later.
4. Budget for the Annual Fee
Calculate the full-year registration cost across your portfolio using the current £65 annual fee per property.
For example, five properties would have a full-year total of £325. The Government says the fee will be pro-rated during rollout, so the initial amount may differ.
This is a registration cost only. It does not replace any borough licensing fee or other property compliance expense.
5. Review Your Management Agreement
If you use an agent or property manager, check whether the agreement clearly covers:
- Creating and updating dwelling entries
- Monitoring safety certificate expiry dates
- Keeping property information accurate
- Recording registration numbers
- Updating rental adverts
- Reminding you about annual renewals
Responsibilities should be clearly documented. This helps prevent gaps between you, your agent and any lease-based management partner.
6. Check Your Adverts After Registration
Once you receive your relevant registration numbers, review your advertising channels.
This may include:
- Property portals
- Your own website
- Social media listings
- Printed marketing
- Direct marketing materials
The Act provides for written rental adverts to include the unique landlord and property identifiers when the relevant requirements apply. The Government says further legislation and guidance will address when vacant properties must be registered before marketing. Check the current official requirements before updating adverts.
What If You Use Guaranteed Rent or Full Property Management?
A lease-based or guaranteed rent arrangement is not automatically exempt from the Register Your Rental Property Service.
You would still need:
- An active landlord entry in your own name
- An active dwelling entry for each property within scope
- Accurate property and safety information
- Annual renewal of the dwelling entry
- The required annual registration fee
The benefit of a professional management arrangement is that the operational work can be properly delegated.
At RNS Homes, we hold properties on a lease arrangement and provide full property management. We can help organise property records and relevant safety information within the scope of our agreed service. Government guidance says landlords must start and end the registration process themselves; an agent or property manager may provide certain information on the landlord’s behalf.
You remain responsible for completing the required registration process, paying the fee and ensuring the information provided is accurate. Confirm any support with your managing partner against the latest official guidance.
| Requirement | You must do | A managing partner can help with |
|---|---|---|
| Start and end registration | Yes | No |
| Pay the annual registration fee | Yes | As agreed |
| Provide dwelling information | Responsible for completion and accuracy | Certain information may be provided on your behalf |
| Update property and safety information | Ultimately responsible | Yes |
| Monitor EPC, gas and electrical records | Oversee | Yes |
| Review adverts and registration numbers | Check | Yes |
| Renew entries annually | Ensure it happens | Remind or manage, as agreed |
You can read more about guaranteed rent schemes after the Renters’ Rights Act and how guaranteed rent works for landlords.
Our full property management service is designed to reduce the day-to-day administration involved in managing a rental property.
Get Ready With Clear, Practical Support
The new service does not need to be difficult to manage. The most useful step is to start early.
Diary the London dates. Audit your portfolio. Gather your documents. Review your management arrangements. Then confirm who will be responsible for each dwelling entry and update.
If you are considering guaranteed rent or full property management, request a free rental assessment from RNS Homes. We can review your property, explain the available arrangement and help you understand how the new registration duties may fit into your plans.
Contact our team for clear, professional guidance. We are here to help you prepare calmly and keep your London rental property properly managed.