Landlords across England will soon be required to register their rental properties under a new national registration scheme. Here’s what you need to know…

As part of the Government’s ongoing Renters’ Rights reforms, a new ‘Register your rental property’ service will begin rolling out from 15 December 2026.

The scheme is designed to improve transparency within the private rented sector, help councils identify landlords who may not be complying with their responsibilities, and give tenants greater confidence when choosing a rental property.

When will landlords need to register?

The scheme will be introduced region by region over 12 months, beginning in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026.

When a region is brought into the scheme, landlords will have three months to register.

The Government has confirmed that all landlords actively letting property in England must be registered by 14 November 2027.

Key dates

• 15 December 2026: Registration service launches in the West Midlands.
• December 2026 onwards: The scheme rolls out across England.
• Three months: Registration period once a landlord’s area is called forward.
• 14 November 2027: Deadline for all landlords actively letting property in England to be registered.

How much will registration cost?

The registration fee is expected to be £65 per property per year, with landlords required to renew annually.

For landlords with several rental properties, the fee will therefore apply to each property.

Landlords should always use the official Government registration service and check the latest guidance before registering or making any payment.

What does registration mean for landlords?

Initially, the requirements will apply to properties that are already let or become occupied during the rollout.

The Government has also indicated that, under future legislation, landlords will need to register unoccupied properties before marketing them for let.

There will also be requirements for registration numbers to be included in property advertisements once the relevant parts of the scheme are introduced.

For tenants, the register is intended to provide greater transparency, allowing them to check whether a landlord or prospective landlord is registered.

For responsible landlords, this should be a positive development, helping demonstrate that they are operating legitimately and meeting their responsibilities.

What should landlords do now?

There’s no need to panic, but landlords should start preparing for another important change to the way rental properties are managed.

We recommend:

• Keeping your property and tenancy records accurate and up to date.
• Staying informed about changes to landlord legislation.
• Watching for information about when your area will be brought into the scheme.
• Allowing plenty of time to complete your registration once your area is called forward.
• Considering whether professional property management could make keeping up with the increasing requirements easier.

Let us help you stay on top of the changes

The new registration scheme is just one of a number of significant changes affecting private landlords.

With legislation becoming increasingly complex, many landlords are choosing to have their properties professionally managed so they don’t have to keep track of every requirement themselves.

At Squire Property, our aim is to make letting your property as straightforward and stress-free as possible, while helping landlords stay informed about important changes.

If you’re a landlord and would like to discuss how the latest Renters’ Rights changes could affect you, get in touch. We’d be happy to help.

This article is based on Government information published on 9 September 2026. Further details about the registration scheme are expected as the rollout approaches.