The “Register your rental property” service rollout is confirmed: what it means for London landlords.
Here are five key updates from the private rented sector (PRS). While no immediate action will be required for most London landlords, some measures, such as selective licensing schemes introduced by local authorities, may be relevant depending on your property’s location. We’ve highlighted the important dates below.
Key dates at a glance
- 15 December 2026 Register Your Rental Property service opens, rolling out region by region
- 15 July 2027 London registration opens
- 14 October 2027 London registration deadline
- 2028 PRS Ombudsman landlord membership expected
What is the Register Your Rental Property Service (the PRS database)?
Every rental property let as an assured or regulated tenancy must be registered, at £65 a year .
The Government’s Register your rental property service (previously publicised as the PRS Database) opens on 15 December 2026 and rolls out region by region. London registration opens 15 July 2027, with a deadline of 14 October 2027.
Registering yourself as a landlord is free; each property costs £65 a year. Letting unregistered risks a civil penalty of up to £7,000 and can restrict your ability to recover possession.
It has been confirmed that whilst landlords remain responsible for registration, letting agents will be able to assist landlords with providing information on their behalf.
What information will landlords need to provide?
You will need to provide details of yourself, the property and the tenancy including rent achieved, and evidence of compliance: gas safety, electrical safety, EPC and any licences that are required. Once the rollout is complete, in future a property cannot be advertised to let without its database reference. Once registered, any changes must be updated within 28 days.
Read the government’s Register your rental property guidance in full, here.
Does the national register replace Selective Licensing in London?
Registering nationally does not replace your borough licence .
Councils no longer need Whitehall sign-off to designate selective licensing, including borough-wide schemes. London schemes continue to evolve: Islington is expanding its selective licensing scheme across seven new wards on 23 November 2026, Enfield (17 wards) and Harrow extended from 1 September, Greenwich is consulting on up to 18 wards, and Tower Hamlets’ scheme ended on 1 October. These sit alongside the national ‘Register Your Rental Property’ database, not instead of it.
Check whether your borough runs a selective licensing scheme, here.
Section 21 abolished: rent increases and possession six months on
Section 21 has gone, and rent reviews follow one route.
Since 1 May 2026, all ASTs have become assured periodic tenancies, Section 21 has been abolished, and possession is now sought through an expanded set of Section 8 grounds. Annual rent increases must be served via a Section 13 notice with two months’ notice, and tenants retain the right to challenge. Rent disputes are set to transfer to HMRC’s Valuation Office Agency in future but remain with the First-Tier Tribunal for the time being.
What’s next: Awaab’s Law, EPC C by 2030 and the PRS Ombudsman
The Government is consulting on extending Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector, which would introduce strict timescales for addressing damp, mould and other serious health and safety hazards. A single compliance date of 1 October 2030 has been confirmed for the move to minimum EPC C standard, subject to a £10,000 cost cap per property.
Meanwhile, the legal framework for the PRS Ombudsman is now in place, with landlord membership expected from 2028. Plenty of time to plan for these incoming changes.
Do London landlords need to act now?
No action needed today. London registration for the PRS database / “Register Your Rental Property” service is still some way off.
Landlords must start registration themselves, but letting agents can supply information on their behalf.
