Landlords in England are facing an estimated annual bill of £327 million under the government's new property registration scheme. The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has criticised the charges, stating that ministers are duplicating existing requirements.
The database is set to launch on 15 December, beginning in the West Midlands, before being rolled out across England over the following 12 months. All landlords actively letting properties will be required to register by 14 November 2027.
The NRLA estimates the annual fee of £65 per property will cost the sector at least £327 million each year, which is almost seven times the amount the government initially projected. The association has warned that some of these costs could be passed on to tenants.
Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA, questioned the cost and practical benefits, stating, “What we have on offer is a costly mess. It expects payment for landlords to provide much the same information as many already give their councils, with no additional benefit to them or their customers.” He added, “Frankly, landlords and tenants are being ripped off in the name of consumer protection.”
The government states the database, a central part of the Renters’ Rights Act, aims to improve transparency for tenants and assist councils in identifying landlords who do not meet legal obligations. Landlords will have three months to register once the scheme reaches their region, with non-compliance potentially leading to financial penalties.