New National Landlord Registration Scheme: What Landlords Need to Know
As a landlord in the local area, staying informed about regulatory changes is crucial. With a new national registration scheme launching on 15 December 2026, Church & Hawes, your trusted local multi-office network, is here to help you understand and navigate these significant updates.
New National Landlord Registration Scheme: What Landlords Need to Know
A major change is coming for landlords across England, with a new national registration scheme for rental properties due to launch later this year.
From 15 December 2026, landlords will begin to face a new legal requirement to register their rental properties with the government.
The new “Register your rental property” service is the first stage of the government's planned national database of private rented sector properties.
The West Midlands will be the first region to adopt the scheme, with the system then being rolled out across England over the following 12 months.
What does this mean for landlords?
Once the scheme reaches your area, registration will become a legal requirement. Landlords will have three months to register once the scheme is introduced in their region.
The government has confirmed that all landlords actively letting property in England must be registered by 14 November 2027.
Registration is expected to cost £65 per property each year, with landlords required to renew annually. Failure to register could result in financial penalties.
What about properties that are currently empty?
Initially, the registration requirements will focus on properties that are already let, together with properties that become occupied during the rollout.
However, further legislation is expected to extend the requirements to vacant rental properties.
Under these planned changes, landlords would need to register an empty property before advertising it for rent.
This is likely to become an important part of the letting process for both landlords and agents.
A change for letting agents too
The new scheme will also have implications for letting agents.
Importantly, landlords and letting agents will eventually be required to display the property's registration number on rental advertisements.
For agents, this means registration checks are likely to become another important part of the property marketing process.
At Church & Hawes, we will continue to monitor the introduction of the scheme and any further guidance issued by the government, so that we can help our landlords understand what they need to do and when.
Tenants will be able to check registration. The government also plans to give prospective tenants access to registration information.
This will allow tenants to check whether a landlord has registered their property, providing greater transparency within the private rented sector.
Local authorities will also have access to the database, helping them identify landlords who have not complied with their obligations and take enforcement action where necessary.
What should landlords do now?
There is no need to panic, but landlords should certainly start preparing for the changes.
We recommend that landlords:
- Keep an eye on when the registration scheme reaches their area.
- Make sure their property and landlord information is up to date.
- Allow sufficient time to complete registration once the scheme applies to them.
- Budget for the £65 annual registration fee per property.
- Keep their registration details and renewal dates safely recorded.
- Speak to their letting agent if they are unsure how the new requirements will affect the way their property is marketed.
We’re here to help
The private rented sector is going through a period of significant change, and the new registration scheme is another important development for landlords to be aware of.
While the scheme is being introduced gradually, 2027 will be another important year for landlord compliance.
We will continue to keep our landlords updated as further legislation and government guidance becomes available.
If you are a landlord and would like to discuss how the new registration requirements may affect your property, please get in touch with our lettings team on 01621 878417