Landlords in England will be required to register their rental properties under a new national scheme, which the government announced will launch in December. The 'Register your rental property' service is set to begin on 15 December 2026, with the West Midlands being the first region to adopt the system.
The scheme will then be rolled out across England over the subsequent 12 months. Registration will become a legal requirement for landlords once their area joins the system, with a three-month window to comply. Failure to register could result in a fine, and all landlords letting property in England must be registered by 14 November 2027.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook stated that the national landlord registration service is a significant initial step towards establishing a new database of private rented sector properties. This database is intended to empower tenants, support responsible landlords, and assist councils in enforcing the Renters' Rights Act.
In addition to the registration scheme, the government has announced changes to the process for tenants challenging rent increases. HMRC's Valuation Office will assume responsibility for initial decisions on rent increase challenges in England. This aims to reduce pressure on the First-tier Tribunal system, which currently handles such applications, and ensure disputes are resolved more efficiently.