Landlord register explained
England's private landlord register opens 15 December 2026. All landlords with assured or regulated tenancies must register themselves and each property within their region's 3-month window — West Midlands first, South West last (November 2027). The fee is £65 per property per year; fines reach £7,000 for non-compliance. Registration happens on GOV.UK. Source: GOV.UK landlord guidance, 29 Oct 2026.
Last checked against GOV.UK:
This is an independent website. We are not affiliated with GOV.UK or the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Landlord registration and fee payment happen on the official GOV.UK service. We provide deadline lookup and fee estimation tools only.
Who must register
- Private landlords renting property in England on an assured or regulated tenancy.
- Includes individuals, companies, charities, trusts, LLPs and Scottish partnerships.
- Joint landlords: each must register; one registers the property and invites the others.
- Organisation landlords follow the same rules.
Exemptions
The only stated exemption is supported exempt accommodation within Section 12 of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. No other exemptions are confirmed in GOV.UK guidance as of 29 October 2026. If you are unsure whether a property qualifies, check GOV.UK or seek legal advice.
Regional deadlines
Registration rolls out by region. You can register from 15 December 2026 regardless of region, but must complete before your region's deadline (midnight on the end date).
| Region | Opens | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Humberside | 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 |
Fee and pro-rata calculation
- £65 per property per year (not subject to VAT).
- Landlord registration: free.
- Updates to registration: free.
- May be tax-deductible as a landlord expense — check HMRC guidance; this is not tax advice.
During rollout the first-year fee is reduced. GOV.UK formula: (£65 ÷ 365) × (days remaining in year − free days). Days before 15 November 2027 are free days. The result is always rounded down.
| Registration date | Calculation | First fee |
|---|---|---|
| 15 December 2026 | Pro-rated from 15 Nov 2027 | £5.34 |
| 25 June 2027 | Pro-rated from 15 Nov 2027 | £39.60 |
Use our fee calculator to estimate your first bill.
What you need to register (and the 28-day rule)
At registration: property address and details; a correspondence address in England or Wales; managing agent details if applicable; superior landlord / freeholder details if applicable.
Within 28 days of registration (or at registration): gas safety certificate (if the property has gas); Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR); Energy Performance Certificate (EPC); tenancy details including rent amount; licences (HMO, selective licence, etc.).
Missing information within 28 days may deactivate your registration. If the property is still rented, you are in breach.
Letting agents and delegation
- The landlord must start the registration — you cannot fully delegate this.
- Once your property number is issued, you can delegate uploading tenancy and health & safety documents to your agent.
- The landlord remains legally responsible for compliance.
Source: GOV.UK agents guidance.
Fines and penalties
| Offence | Maximum fine |
|---|---|
| Failing to register yourself and your property | Up to £7,000 |
| Knowingly or recklessly providing false/misleading information | Up to £40,000 |
| Continuing or repeated breaches | Up to £40,000 |
Enforced by local authorities. From 15 December 2026, tenants may apply for Rent Repayment Orders for certain breaches under Renters' Rights Act s.98 — but only once the property's region window has opened.
Renewal
- Shared renewal date: 1 year from your first property registration.
- If you register multiple properties, all renew on the same date.
- Fee at renewal: £65 per property (full year, no pro-rata).
England only
This register applies to England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate housing regulations. Welsh landlords: see Rent Smart Wales. Scottish landlords: see the Scottish Landlord Register.
Check your deadline
Enter your postcode in our free checker to find your region's deadline and estimate your first fee. Instant lookup shows the regional window and calculates the pro-rated fee.
Portfolio Pack
Managing multiple properties? Our Portfolio Pack (£9 incl. VAT inc. VAT) gives you a deadline calendar for all your properties, fee projections by registration date, a document checklist per property, and spreadsheet export.
Or jump to the Portfolio Pack on the home page.
Frequently asked questions
Who has to register on the landlord register?
Private landlords in England with tenants on an assured or regulated tenancy. This includes individuals, companies, charities, and trusts.
When does the landlord register open?
The register opens 15 December 2026, starting with West Midlands. Each region has a 3-month window; South West closes last on 14 November 2027.
How much does it cost to register?
£65 per property per year. Landlord registration itself is free. The first year is pro-rated — GOV.UK examples show £5.34 (Dec 2026) and £39.60 (June 2027).
What happens if I don't register?
You could face a fine of up to £7,000. Providing false information or repeated breaches can result in fines up to £40,000.
Can I register before my region's window opens?
Yes. Anyone can register from 15 December 2026, regardless of region — but you must complete by your region's deadline.
Are there any exemptions from registering?
The only stated exemption is supported exempt accommodation under Section 12 of the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.
Can my letting agent register for me?
No. You must start the registration yourself. Once your property number is issued, you can delegate document uploads to your agent.
Does this apply in Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland?
No. The private rented sector database applies to England only. Other nations have separate landlord registration schemes.
Do I need to register each room in an HMO?
No. You register the whole HMO property once, not each individual room.
Is this site the official GOV.UK service?
No. This is an independent guide and deadline checker. Registration and payment happen on GOV.UK.
Sources
Last checked against GOV.UK . Sources:
- Register your rental property service: guidance for landlords (GOV.UK, MHCLG, published 29 October 2026)
- The Private Rented Sector Database Regulations 2026 (draft statutory instrument, legislation.gov.uk)
- Register your rental property service: guidance for letting agents and property managers (GOV.UK)
- Civil penalties under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and other housing legislation (GOV.UK)
- Register your rental property service: guidance for letting agents and property managers (GOV.UK)
- Civil penalties under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and other housing legislation (GOV.UK)
Page last checked: