PRS Database Status for Landlords in England
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 creates the legal framework for a national Private Rented Sector Database in England. As at 27 August 2026 the database has not opened, there is no single national registration date, and the annual fee has not been fixed. Use the status board below, then the detail that follows.
Status board
PRS Database status — 27 August 2026
Checked against official sources on 27 August 2026.
- National register open?
- No
- Registration required today?
- No — duty applies only once an area is brought into force
- Rollout plan
- Regional from late 2026; no published area-by-area timetable yet
- Annual fee
- Required in principle; amount not confirmed
- Possession blocked if unregistered?
- Once the duty applies, generally yes, except specified antisocial-behaviour grounds
- Landlord ombudsman compulsory?
- Not now. Government currently expects compulsory membership in 2028
This is a reading of current official roadmap and guidance, not a registration service. Recheck GOV.UK before acting.
What is confirmed versus still pending
Confirmed: the Act establishes the database; rollout is planned regionally from late 2026; registration will be mandatory for PRS landlords in scope once the duty is brought into force for their area; an annual fee will be payable; local licensing remains separate.
Not confirmed: the first live area, a single national start date, the fee amount, the exact registration form, and every document field landlords will have to upload. Treat third-party “register now” offers as noise unless GOV.UK names the service.
What is the PRS Database?
The PRS Database is a new national register for private rented sector landlords and their properties in England. It is being introduced in phase 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act implementation, after the tenancy reforms that started on 1 May 2026.
The government says the database will bring together information for landlords, tenants and local councils. It is intended to help landlords understand their duties and demonstrate compliance, help tenants make informed choices and support councils’ enforcement work.
Is registration required now?
No. As at 27 August 2026, the database has not opened and there is no single national registration date for every landlord. The government’s roadmap says rollout will begin regionally from late 2026.
When registration is brought into force for an area, signing up will be mandatory for PRS landlords in scope. Landlords will also be required to pay an annual fee, with the amount and detailed registration requirements to be confirmed closer to launch.
What happens if a landlord does not register?
Government guidance says that, once the registration duty applies, a landlord who lets or advertises a property without first registering it and providing the required information may face a civil penalty of up to £7,000. Repeated breaches or serious offences, such as providing fraudulent information to the database, may lead to a civil penalty of up to £40,000 or criminal prosecution.
A landlord who is in breach of the duty to register will also generally be unable to obtain a possession order while the breach continues, except where possession is sought using Ground 7A or Ground 14 for anti-social behaviour. Check the official launch guidance and regulations for the exact rules that apply when the database reaches your area.
What information is expected?
The government expects registration to cover landlord contact details, including joint landlords where relevant, and key property details such as the address, type of home, number of bedrooms and occupancy information.
The roadmap also says the minimum property information is expected to include gas, electrical and energy performance certificate details. Keep those records organised, but wait for the official registration guidance before assuming every field or document requirement.
The database is separate from local licensing
The PRS Database will be a national England-wide system. It will not replace council-run selective, additional or HMO licensing schemes. A property may still need a local licence even after the database launches.
Check the council for the area where the property is located. Licensing rules can depend on the type of property, number of occupiers and the area covered by a designation.
What about the landlord ombudsman?
A mandatory PRS Landlord Ombudsman is also planned for phase 2, but it is not expected to be compulsory immediately. The government’s roadmap says landlord membership is expected in 2028, after an administrator has been appointed and the scheme has had time to prepare.
Do not pay a third party claiming to sign you up early unless it is clearly identified in official government guidance.
How to prepare sensibly now
Keep your landlord contact details, property addresses, current gas safety record, EICR, EPC and any local licence information together. Check that certificates and licences have not expired, and note the dates when they next need action.
Watch GOV.UK and your council for the rollout area and registration instructions. RentClock can help you keep the supporting compliance deadlines in one place, but it cannot register you on the database or confirm whether a local licence applies.
Frequently asked questions
The government plans to begin a regional rollout from late 2026. It has not announced one opening date that applies to every landlord in England.
The government says registration will be mandatory for PRS landlords as the database is rolled out. Check the official launch guidance for your area and tenancy type.
Government guidance says letting or advertising a property without the required database registration can lead to a civil penalty of up to £7,000 once the duty applies. Repeated breaches or serious offences may lead to penalties of up to £40,000 or criminal prosecution.
No. Council licensing schemes are separate. You may need to comply with both the PRS Database and a local licensing scheme.
No. The new mandatory scheme is planned for a later stage of phase 2, with the government currently expecting compulsory membership in 2028.
Official sources
Further reading
Related tools and guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice. We review time-sensitive claims against official sources; see our editorial policy. Always check GOV.UK or a professional for your situation.