The government's planned landlord database could introduce a substantial new layer of data entry, checks, and liability for every letting instruction, according to Propertymark. The professional body is urging for the final design of the Private Rented Sector Database to be built around the operational methods of letting agencies.
Propertymark supports the concept of a national landlord and property register but stresses the importance of a workable system for agents and landlords. The organisation is calling for the database to avoid duplicating information already submitted through local licensing schemes or held on other government-approved systems, and to allow agency systems to connect directly with the new platform.
The database, whose legal framework is established under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, is anticipated to commence a regional rollout in England from late 2026. Landlords of assured and regulated tenancies will need to register themselves and their properties and pay an annual fee, the amount of which is yet to be confirmed.
For agents, the system is expected to integrate into the instruction and marketing process. Properties cannot be marketed without active entries for both the landlord and the dwelling, and written advertisements will need to display unique identifiers. This could necessitate agents conducting additional onboarding checks, recording registration details, and verifying active entries.
Propertymark is currently gathering evidence from its members regarding the potential impact, including staff hours required for auditing and uploading information, likely system costs, and the number of affected properties. Civil penalties for non-compliance can reach £7,000, with repeated breaches potentially leading to penalties up to £40,000 or criminal prosecution.