The government has reassured landlords that their privacy will be safeguarded within the new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, but has not yet detailed how this protection will be implemented. This follows concerns raised by landlords regarding privacy and data handling.
Under the PRS Database, landlords will be required to submit information about their properties, including addresses, the number of residents and bedrooms, and copies of gas, electricity, and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) documents. The government stated that data will be handled in accordance with data protection legislation, with further details to be announced.
A Ministry of Housing spokesperson confirmed that the database aims to help tenants make informed decisions, while also ensuring landlord privacy and data protection compliance. Future legislation will also require landlords to register unoccupied properties before marketing them for let, with registration numbers needing to be included in adverts.
Industry bodies, including Propertymark and the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), have urged the government to clarify what information will be publicly accessible on the database. Propertymark suggests that a redacted version of a landlord's address should be made available to protect privacy and personal safety, rather than a full personal address.
The NRLA has also warned that the database could cost the private rented sector at least £327 million per year, with landlords facing a £65 annual fee per property to register. Landlords who let or advertise a property without registration could face a civil penalty of up to £7,000, while providing fraudulent information could result in a fine of up to £40,000.