The government has confirmed that letting agents are permitted to support landlords by submitting property information to the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database.
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, all landlords are required to register their properties on this database, which will provide tenants with access to property information. Landlords who let or advertise a property without prior registration face a civil penalty of up to £7,000. Providing fraudulent information to the database could result in a £40,000 fine.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook stated in response to a parliamentary question from Labour MP Marsha De Cordova that letting agents will be able to provide certain property information on behalf of landlords. He added that both landlords and letting agents were involved in the database's digital design process to enhance its user-friendliness.
The government has indicated that the PRS Database fee will be "fair and proportionate" and has suggested combining the registration process with that of the Ombudsman, though it has not confirmed if separate fees will be required. Fees collected from the PRS Database may be used to fund council enforcement.