Renters’ Rights Act 2025: New Landlord Register and Key 2027 Dates for Landlords

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 has already changed how landlords let private rented properties in England. The main changes came into effect on 1 May 2026, including changes to tenancy structures, rent increases, possession rules, rental advertising and enforcement. GOV.UK

Now, landlords need to prepare for the next major stage: the new “Register your rental property” service.

This service is also known as the Private Rented Sector Database or PRS Database. It will require landlords to register themselves and their rental properties.

For landlords in London and Essex, the key dates fall in 2027. Because of this, landlords should start getting their documents, property details and compliance records ready now.

ABC Gone helps landlords across London and Essex with property management, lettings and guaranteed rent, giving landlords a clearer way to manage rental property and stay organised.

What is the new landlord register?

The new landlord register is a national registration service for private rented properties in England.

The government calls it the “Register your rental property” service. It forms part of the second phase of Renters’ Rights Act implementation.

Landlords of assured or regulated tenancies must register themselves and each relevant rental property through the service. Government guidance also says landlords will pay an annual £65 registration fee per property and renew the registration each year. Housing Hub

The aim is to create a clearer record of landlords and rental properties. As a result, councils should find it easier to identify poor practice and take action where needed. GOV.UK

For responsible landlords, the register should also help show that they manage their properties properly.

Why is the landlord register being introduced?

The landlord register is designed to improve transparency in the private rented sector.

For landlords, it means property records, tenancy information and safety documents will matter even more.

For councils, the service should provide better access to landlord and property information. Therefore, local authorities should find it easier to identify poor practice and enforce the rules. GOV.UK

For tenants, the government has said the service should eventually help them check whether a landlord has signed up and is following key rules. GOV.UK

However, landlords should not treat the register as just another form. It is part of a wider shift towards stronger record keeping and clearer compliance.

When does the landlord register start?

The government will start rolling out the service on 15 December 2026, beginning in the West Midlands. After that, the requirement will move across England region by region during 2027. Housing Hub

Once a property’s region opens, landlords will have a three-month window to register. All landlords actively letting property must complete registration by 14 November 2027. GOV.UK

Importantly, the deadline depends on the location of the rental property, not where the landlord lives. For example, if a landlord lives in London but owns a rental property in Essex, the Essex property follows the East of England timetable. Housing Hub

Key 2027 landlord register dates

The government has published the regional rollout timetable for the “Register your rental property” service. Housing Hub

Because the rollout works by region, landlords with properties in more than one region may have more than one deadline to track.

Key dates for Essex landlords

For Essex rental properties, landlords should use the East of England timetable.

Registration opens on:

15 January 2027

The deadline to register is:

14 April 2027

This matters for landlords with rental properties in areas such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Harlow, Basildon, Southend, Thurrock and other Essex locations.

Therefore, Essex landlords should prepare early in 2027 rather than waiting until the spring deadline.

Key dates for London landlords

For London rental properties, landlords should use the London timetable.

Registration opens on:

15 July 2027

The deadline to register is:

14 October 2027

This applies to rental properties in London boroughs, including areas such as Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge, Newham and other London locations.

If you own properties in both London and Essex, check each property separately. You may need to meet the Essex deadline first and the London deadline later.

Who needs to register?

Government guidance says landlords of assured or regulated tenancies must register themselves and each property through the service. However, landlords of supported exempt accommodation, as set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023, do not need to register on the service. Housing Hub

At the moment, the requirement applies to properties that are currently let or become let during the rollout period. In addition, the government says future legislation will require landlords to register unoccupied properties before they or their agent market them for let. Landlords and letting agents will also need to include unique landlord and property identifiers on adverts once that part of the system starts. Housing Hub

Because of this, landlords should prepare for both current tenancies and future marketing requirements.

Can a letting agent or property manager help?

A letting agent or property manager may be able to help, but the landlord remains responsible.

Government guidance says landlords must start and end the registration process themselves. However, they can agree with a letting agent or property manager that the agent can provide certain information on their behalf. Housing Hub

This means landlords should not assume their agent will handle everything automatically.

Instead, ask your agent:

• what information they already hold
• which documents are missing
• whether certificates are up to date
• whether they can help upload information
• who will track the deadline
• how landlord approval will work

If you are unsure whether your current agent keeps things organised, read our guide on what should be included in a property management service.

What information will landlords need to provide?

Landlords will need to provide information about themselves, their rental property and key safety documents.

The exact information may depend on whether the landlord is an individual or an organisation. However, the main point is simple: landlords should start getting their records in order before their regional deadline opens.

Landlord details

Individual landlords will usually need to provide basic personal details.

This may include:

• full name
• date of birth
• residential address
• telephone number
• email address

Organisation landlords may need to provide extra information. For example, this could include company details, Companies House information or charity registration details where relevant. Housing Hub

Property details

Landlords will also need to provide information about each rental property.

This may include:

• property address
• ownership type
• dwelling type
• number of bedrooms
• whether the property is currently let
• property manager details where relevant
• number of occupants
• number of households
• whether the property needs an HMO, additional or selective licence
• whether the property is furnished, partly furnished or unfurnished
• rent amount
• rent payment frequency
• whether rent includes utilities

Because the register asks for this level of detail, good record keeping matters. If you own more than one rental property, check each property separately.

Safety and compliance documents

In addition, landlords should prepare the key safety and compliance records linked to the property.

This may include:

• gas safety information where relevant
• EICR or electrical certificate information
• EPC information
• MEES exemption information where relevant
• licensing information where needed

Government guidance says landlords will need a GOV.UK One Login to use the service. They will also need to upload health and safety documents, such as gas, electrical and energy performance certificates, where required. Housing Hub

Why landlords should prepare early

Some landlords may already have everything ready. However, others may need time to find missing documents, update certificates or confirm property details.

Because of this, landlords should not wait until the final deadline. Preparing early will make the registration process easier and reduce the risk of last-minute problems.

What should landlords prepare now?

Landlords do not need to wait until the registration window opens.

In fact, preparing early is one of the easiest ways to avoid last-minute stress.

1. Confirm your property region

Check whether each rental property falls under London, East of England or another region.

The deadline depends on the property location.

2. Check your property details

Make sure you have the full property address, property type, number of bedrooms, furnished status, rent amount and tenancy information ready.

3. Review safety certificates

Check whether your gas safety certificate, EICR and EPC are up to date.

4. Check licensing requirements

If your property is an HMO or sits in an area with selective or additional licensing, make sure you understand what applies.

5. Review rent and utility information

The register will ask for rent information and whether utilities are included.

6. Check landlord contact details

Use the correct address, telephone number and email address.

7. Speak to your managing agent

If you use a letting agent or property manager, ask what they will help with and what you must do yourself.

8. Set calendar reminders

Do not rely on memory. Add the opening date and deadline to your calendar.

9. Keep all documents in one folder

Store certificates, tenancy details, property records and management documents together.

10. Review your wider landlord setup

The register is only one part of compliance. Therefore, landlords should also review tenancy documents, rent processes, inspections, maintenance and property management.

For more support, read our guide on property management fees in the UK so you understand what a management service should provide.

What happens if landlords do not register?

Government guidance says registration will become a legal requirement. Landlords risk a fine if they do not register their properties. Once a region’s three-month window ends, councils in that region can begin enforcement activity. Housing Hub

As a result, landlords should not leave registration until the last minute.

This is especially important for landlords with multiple properties, older certificates, missing documents or properties in different regions.

A landlord with properties in both London and Essex may need to follow different deadlines for different properties.

Why this matters for landlords in 2027

The new landlord register is another sign that private renting is becoming more structured and compliance-focused.

As a result, landlords will need to keep paperwork, safety documents, tenancy information and management records more organised.

Poor record keeping could make registration harder. Good management, however, should make the process easier.

Landlords should use 2027 as a chance to review how they manage their rental property. This includes rent collection, repairs, inspections, certificates, tenant communication and legal updates.

If the admin already feels difficult, it may be worth speaking to ABC Gone about property management, lettings and guaranteed rent.

How property management can help

A good property management service should help landlords stay organised.

This does not remove the landlord’s responsibility. However, a reliable property manager should help keep important information easy to find.

This may include:

• tenancy documents
• rent records
• tenant details
• safety certificates
• inspection records
• maintenance history
• contractor invoices
• licensing information
• property access details
• compliance reminders

If your current agent does not keep these records organised, the new register may expose gaps.

You may also find this guide useful: Unhappy With Your Property Manager? 7 Signs It’s Time to Switch.

Guaranteed rent and landlord compliance

Some landlords are not only worried about registration. They are also worried about late rent, void periods, arrears and rising compliance requirements.

For those landlords, guaranteed rent may be worth considering.

With guaranteed rent, landlords receive an agreed monthly rent from the provider, depending on the agreement. This can offer a more predictable income route compared with traditional letting.

However, guaranteed rent does not remove the need for compliance. Instead, it should sit alongside proper property management, clear records and a well-maintained property.

If you are comparing your options, read our guide on guaranteed rent vs traditional lettings.

What landlords should avoid

As the register approaches, landlords should avoid leaving everything until the deadline.

In particular, do not:

• assume your agent will handle everything
• wait until the final week to check certificates
• ignore properties in different regions
• rely on old records without checking them
• forget licensing requirements
• assume unoccupied property rules will never apply
• leave rent and utility information unclear
• keep documents across multiple email threads

Instead, create one clear property file for each rental property.

That file should include property details, tenancy records, rent information, certificates, licensing documents, inspection notes and maintenance records.

This will make registration easier and reduce avoidable stress.

Why choose ABC Gone?

ABC Gone helps landlords across London and Essex with property management, lettings and guaranteed rent.

For landlords preparing for the new register, our support can help make the process less stressful by keeping property management, tenant communication, repairs and landlord records more organised.

We can also help landlords understand whether standard property management or guaranteed rent is the better route for their property.

If you own a rental property in London or Essex and want a clearer management process before the 2027 register deadlines, now is a good time to review your setup.

Speak to ABC Gone before the 2027 deadlines

The new landlord register is coming, and landlords should prepare early.

If you wait until the deadline, you may find that documents are missing, certificates have expired or property information is not organised.

ABC Gone can help landlords across London and Essex review their property management options and prepare for a more compliance-focused rental market.

Book a landlord call or property valuation with ABC Gone today.

Helpful landlord guides

If you are preparing for the Renters’ Rights Act changes, these guides may help:

• What Is Guaranteed Rent? A Simple Guide for UK Landlords
• Guaranteed Rent vs Traditional Lettings: Which Is Better?
• What Are the Risks of Guaranteed Rent Schemes?
• What Should Be Included in a Property Management Service?
• Property Management Fees in the UK: What Should Landlords Expect?
• How to Switch Property Managers Without Disrupting Tenants
• What Happens if the Tenant Stops Paying Rent?
• ABC Gone Landlord Services
• Book a Valuation

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