Landlords in England now have a firm timeline for a major new legal requirement. On 9 September 2026, the government confirmed it will begin rolling out the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database — officially branded the “Register your rental property” service — starting 15 December 2026.
If you own or manage rental property in the South East, here’s what you need to know, what it will cost, and when your deadline falls.
What is the PRS Database?
The PRS Database is a new national register of landlords and rental properties in England, introduced under Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act. It’s designed to give tenants and local councils visibility into who owns and manages rented homes, helping councils identify rogue landlords and take faster enforcement action.
Although it’s referred to as the Private Rented Sector Database in the legislation, the government now refers to it publicly as the “Register your rental property” service.
Who needs to register?
Landlords with assured or regulated tenancies will be required to register themselves and each individual property they let. This applies initially to properties that are currently let or become occupied during the rollout period.
Letting agents and landlords will also need to include registration numbers on all property adverts once registration is complete. Under future legislation, as the public interface is rolled out, landlords will additionally be required to register any unoccupied properties before marketing them for let.
When does it launch — and when is the South East deadline?
The rollout is regional and staggered over roughly nine months, starting with the West Midlands:
| Region | Date regulations commence | Deadline to register |
| 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 |
For landlords across the South East, the regulations come into force on 15 March 2027, giving you until 14 June 2027 to complete registration. It’s worth registering as soon as the regulations commence in your area rather than waiting until the deadline.
What information will you need to provide?
When you register, you’ll need to submit:
- Personal details (landlord information)
- Property specifications
- Tenancy information
- Rental details
- Health and safety documentation, including gas and electrical safety certificates and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data
What will it cost?
Registration costs £65 per property, and it isn’t a one-off fee — landlords will need to renew annually and pay the £65 fee again each year. Landlords who fail to register may face financial penalties, and once the service is fully in force, you won’t be able to market or advertise your rental property without a valid registration.
Why this matters now
This is a legal requirement, not an optional scheme — and the consequences of missing your regional deadline could affect your ability to let or advertise property at all. With the South East deadline set for June 2027, now is a good time to start getting your paperwork — safety certificates, EPCs, and tenancy records — in order well ahead of time.
Note: the government has so far released outline details of the scheme, with further guidance expected as the rollout approaches. We’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Need help getting ready?
Our team at Belvoir Basingstoke is on top of the PRS Database rollout and can help make sure you’re registered, compliant, and ready well before your deadline. Get in touch with us today to talk through what this means for your properties.
