PRS database
England’s landlord database, explained for renters
The Private Rented Sector Database is a national record of private landlords and the homes they let in England. It comes from the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, and once a region’s deadline passes a landlord can’t lawfully let a home that isn’t on it.
Landlord registration opens on 15 December 2026, starting with the West Midlands. Every actively let property in England must be registered by 14 November 2027.
England only · Guidance checked September 2026. The dates come from the draft Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026 and the government’s rollout table. The Regulations are still in draft, so dates could change.
When it starts, region by region
Registration opens one region at a time. Landlords then have three months to register what they already let.
| Region | Registration opens | Must be registered by |
|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | 15 December 2026 | 14 March 2027 |
| East of England | 15 January 2027 | 14 April 2027 |
| East Midlands | 15 February 2027 | 14 May 2027 |
| South East | 15 March 2027 | 14 June 2027 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 15 April 2027 | 14 July 2027 |
| North West | 15 May 2027 | 14 August 2027 |
| North East | 15 June 2027 | 14 September 2027 |
| London | 15 July 2027 | 14 October 2027 |
| South West | 15 August 2027 | 14 November 2027 |
What the database records
- The landlord’s name and contact details, and their address
- The address of the home, who owns it, what type it is and how many bedrooms
- Whether it is let, how many people and households live there
- Whether it needs an HMO licence, and its licence number
- The gas safety record, and its date
- The electrical installation condition report, and its dates
- The energy performance certificate, or any exemption registered
- The rent, how often it is paid and whether bills are included
- Contact details for the freeholder, superior landlord or property manager
From Schedule 3 of the draft Regulations. Not all of it will be public.
What it means for renters
- A home must be registered to be let
- Once a region’s deadline passes, a landlord can’t market, advertise or let a home without an active entry, and adverts must show its identifiers.
- Possession is blocked while in breach
- A court can’t make a possession order while the landlord is in breach, except on the grounds for serious anti-social behaviour.
- Penalties
- Up to £7,000 for a breach, and up to £40,000 where an offence is committed, such as giving false information.
- Tenant access comes later
- The government says public access follows the launch of registration, and that it will publish what the public can see nearer the time. No date has been set.
Questions renters ask
What is the PRS database?
The Private Rented Sector Database is a national record of private landlords and the homes they let in England, created by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Landlords must register themselves and each property, and from then on they cannot lawfully market or let a home that isn’t on it.
When does the landlord database start?
Registration opens on 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, then a region a month until the South West in August 2027. Every actively let property in England must be registered by 14 November 2027.
Is the landlord database live yet?
Not yet. Landlords in the first region can register from 15 December 2026. The government has said public access will follow the launch of landlord registration, but has not published a date for it.
Can I see the landlord database as a tenant?
Not at first. The government says public access and data sharing will be enabled after landlord registration launches, and that it will publish later what information the public will be able to see. Until then you can check a landlord and a home through the Land Registry, council licensing registers, Companies House and deposit schemes.
What is on the PRS database?
For each home: the landlord’s name and contact details, the address, ownership and property type, how many bedrooms, whether it is let, the number of occupants and households, any HMO licence, the gas safety record, the electrical safety report, the energy certificate or exemption, the rent and whether bills are included, and contact details for whoever manages it.
Who has to register?
Private landlords letting a home in England under an assured or regulated tenancy. Registration is by landlord and by property, and the landlord pays a fee for each property, announced as £65 a year, with entries lasting 12 months before renewal.
What happens if a landlord does not register?
They cannot lawfully market, advertise or let the property. A council can issue a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for a breach, or up to £40,000 where an offence is committed, and a court cannot make a possession order while the landlord is in breach, except on the grounds for serious anti-social behaviour.
What you can check today
You don’t have to wait for the database to check a home before you sign. The free property check covers the energy rating, flood risk, planning designations, crime nearby and past sales. See what you can find out about a landlord today, or check whether a council licensing scheme covers the home.
Check a property freeSources: the implementation roadmap, the government’s rollout table, the announcement of 9 September 2026, the draft Regulations and Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
Landlord registration costs £65 per property a year, with entries lasting 12 months. The draft Regulations leave the amount to the database operator, so it may change. A PRS Landlord Ombudsman is expected in 2028.