Date Published 17 September 2025
The Renters' Rights Bill will introduce a new Private Rented Sector Database. All landlords of assured and regulated tenancies will be legally required to register themselves and their properties on the database and could be subject to penalties if they market or let out a property without registering it and providing the required information.
The database will provide a ‘one stop shop' for landlords allowing them to access relevant guidance through a single ‘front door'. This will provide the basis for an effective service, helping landlords understand their obligations and demonstrate compliance. The database will also be used for communicating changes to requirements – ensuring landlords have access to simple up-to-date information about their responsibilities.
For tenants, the database will increase transparency and the information available before they decide to rent a property and throughout their renting journey. This will allow them to take effective action to enforce their rights and be aware when they can escalate issues with their property to their local council or the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
The database will provide local councils with more data about private rented sector properties. One of the biggest and most time-consuming barriers faced by local councils is identifying poor quality and non-compliant private rented sector properties and who owns them. The database will provide a trusted and consistent intelligence source which will remove unnecessary, frustrating administration, meaning council staff will be able to focus on enforcement against criminal landlords.
Frequently asked questions
How will a landlord sign up to the database and what happens if they don't?
All landlords of assured and regulated tenancies will be legally required to register themselves and their properties on the database. They will be able to do this online.
For those who are unable to register online, we will offer alternative offline ways for registrations to be processed.
Landlords in breach of the duty to register on the database will not be able to get a possession order except if the ground under which possession is sought is ground 7A or ground 14 (tenant anti-social behaviour).
Local councils will be able to take enforcement action against private landlords that fail to join the PRS Database. If a landlord lets or advertises a property without it first being registered on the database, they can be issued with a civil penalty of up to £7,000 by the local council. If a landlord repeatedly breaches the requirement, or if they commit a serious offence such as providing fraudulent information to the database, they may be issued with a civil penalty of up to £40,000 or could face criminal prosecution.
Who will pay for the database? How much will it cost landlords?
Landlords will be required to pay to register on the database. However, we will work to ensure that the fee is proportionate and good value.
What information will be available to the public on the database?
We are still determining the exact information which will be available to the public and this will be set out in regulations. We are planning for this to include information related to property standards.
We are committed to carefully balancing landlords' privacy concerns with private tenants' need to make informed decisions about their housing options when designing a new system. Tenants will be able to access necessary information in relation to their landlord and details of the property, but we do not envisage that all data will be publicly accessible.
How will the database interact with the Database of Rogue Landlords?
We intend for the Private Rented Sector Database to replace the functionality of the Database of Rogue Landlords relating to private sector landlords.
We will make certain details relating to offences viewable to tenants and prospective tenants. Opening up this information will ensure tenants can make a more informed rental decision – leading to a better rental experience. However, we will also ensure that this aim is proportionate to landlords' right to privacy.
Will the introduction of the database mean the end of selective licensing?
Selective licensing remains a valuable tool when used appropriately and combined with other measures. It enables local authorities to target the improvement of standards and safety in areas suffering from issues such as poor housing quality, high levels of deprivation and anti-social behaviour. It has the ability to drive better outcomes for local residents, tenants and responsible landlords.
Our plans to deliver a Database will provide access to information about privately rented properties and tackle one of the biggest and most time-consuming barriers faced by local councils when enforcing standards – identifying poor quality and non-compliant properties and who owns them.
We will work with local councils to gather more information about their selective licensing schemes to ensure the schemes are continuing to deliver the intended outcomes.
When will the database be launched?
The database is currently undergoing digital development and we aim for the service to be operational as soon as possible following the passage of primary and secondary legislation.
The next stage of development will be the ‘Beta phase', which will involve building and testing iterations of the service with key users. This testing phase will also inform the requirements for the content of the database which will be set out in regulations.
We will continue to engage with stakeholders and users as we take forward the development of the service and we will conduct extensive testing of the new service ahead of the legal requirement for private residential landlords to register on the database coming into force.
Credit- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-renters-rights-bill/guide-to-the-renters-rights-bill
