Following the commencement of parts of the Renter's Rights Act 2025 on 1st May 2026, the Government has now announced the timeline for the roll-out of the new National Landlord Registration Service commonly known as the PRS Database.
For landlords of assured or regulated tenancies in the West Midlands, the Landlord Registration Service will launch for you on 15th December 2026. The Registration Service will gradually be rolling out region by region from this date, with the intention for all landlords to have been registered by 14th November 2027.
Landlords in each region will have 3 months from the date the service opens in their area to sign up. The current roll out schedule is as follows:-
| 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 |
The PRS Database
Landlords will be required to register by either:-
using the Government’s online portal; or
completing a prescribed paper form.
The requirement to register will initially only apply to landlords with properties which are currently occupied by tenants or which become occupied during the rollout period. Unoccupied properties will not need to be registered immediately but will in future before marketing them for let.
Information for Individual Landlords
Individual landlords will be required to provide the following information and documents:-
- name
date of birth;
residential address;
telephone number; and
email address.
Information required from Company Landlords and Other Organisations, including Trusts
Where the landlord is a company or other entity which is not an individual, it will need to provide the following:-
the name of the organisation;
the type of legal entity;
address (this may not be a PO Box number);
telephone number;
email address;
name, date of birth, email address and telephone number of the individual making the entry on behalf of the organisation;
name of the nominated contact within the organisation for the purposes of the Database, and their email address and telephone number;
Companies House registration number or Charity Number, if applicable;
where a Companies House registration number is not provided, the names, dates of birth and addresses of all directors, trustees, partners, or members of the governing body of the organisation;
where the organisation is constituted as a trust, the name, date of birth, address, email address, and telephone of the lead trustee.
Property information
Landlords will also need to provide information in respect of the property which they are registering, including:-
- the address of the property;
- name of the landlord and contact information;
- the ownership type;
- dwelling type;
- number of bedrooms;
- whether the property is currently rented out;
- details of any superior landlord, freeholder or managing agent, where applicable.
Compliance Documents
Landlords will also have to upload or provide various tenancy and health & safety information and documents such as the gas safety record, Electronic Installation Condition Reports and Energy Performance Certificates.
Landlords should therefore begin collating the necessary information and documentation well in advance of the registration deadline applying in their area.
Challenging Rent Increases
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 provides tenants with a continued right to challenge rent increases. As currently drafted, such challenges are to be determined by the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber).
Given the significant delays currently being experienced by the Tribunal, landlords can face lengthy periods of uncertainty before a proposed rent increase is determined.
The Government has now announced its intention to transfer responsibility for considering rent increase challenges in England to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The aim is to create a faster and more efficient process for resolving disputes over rent levels.
However, these changes are not yet in force. Until they are implemented, tenants who wish to challenge a rent increase must continue to make an application to the First-tier Tribunal.
Key takeaways:
- Landlords should identify the commencement date for the PRS Database in each region where they own rental property.
- Relevant property, landlord and compliance information should be gathered in advance to ensure registration can be completed within the applicable three-month deadline.
- The Government intends to transfer responsibility for rent increase challenges in England from the First-tier Tribunal to the Valuation Office Agency. Until those changes take effect, rent increase disputes must continue to be referred to the First-tier Tribunal.
Should you require any assistance or advice on the PRS Database, compliance obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 or rent increase disputes please do not hesitate to contact a member of our Property Litigation Team.