Changes to UK rental rules - Register your rental property
You might have already seen headlines on socials or in the news about this, but the UK government is officially launching a mandatory Register your rental property scheme. It’s part of the second phase of Renters’ Rights Act implementation.
As accountants, we wanted to make sure you're ahead of the game. Here is a simple, breakdown of what is happening, when it could happen, and what it will cost.
What is changing?
The government is creating a digital Private Rented Sector Database. If you rent out property in England, you will legally have to use it:
- Every landlord must register themselves.
- Every individual property you rent out must be listed.
When do you need to do it?
The rollout happens in stages based on where your properties are located. You will have a 3-month window to register once your region opens:
- West Midlands: Opens 15 December 2026
- South West: Opens 15 January 2027
- East Midlands & East of England: Opens 15 February 2027
- South East: Opens 15 March 2027
- London: Opens 15 April 2027
- North West, North East, Yorkshire & Humber: Opens 15 May 2027
What will it cost?
- The fee is £65 per property, per year.
- Penalties: Failing to register your properties by the June deadline will result in financial penalties and enforcement action from local councils.
How to Register your rental property?
- You will need a GOV.UK One Login to complete the registration when the time comes.
- You will need to upload some standard compliance docs such as gas safety certs, EICRs, and EPCs.
What Documents and Information you will need
To ensure a smooth transition, you should begin to organise your records for each property. Ensure your names and addresses match exactly across your property title deeds, tenancy agreements, and safety certificates to avoid registration delays. The service requires the following:
- Property Details: Full address, ownership type, number of bedrooms, occupants, and households.
- Tenancy Data: Current rent amount, payment frequency, and details of any utilities included.
- Safety & Compliance Certificates:
- Valid Gas Safety Record (if applicable).
- Current Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or Electrical Installation Certificate.
- Latest Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
- Details of any HMO, additional, or selective licenses.
To find out more about this Register your rental property and what it means you can visit Government website https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/get-ready-to-register/
