I am writing to remind you that the next phase of the Renters’ Rights Act rollout is expected to include the introduction of the new Private Rented Sector (PRS) database. This will be an important compliance requirement for landlords in England, designed to create a central record of private landlords and rented properties.
What is the PRS Database?
The Private Rented Sector database is expected to operate as a national digital register. Once implemented, landlords will be required to register their personal details along with the details of each rented property they own or manage.
The database aims to:
- Help landlords understand and demonstrate compliance
- Support local authority enforcement
- Give tenants greater transparency when choosing a rented home
What This Means for Landlords
While the full registration process and final requirements are still awaiting confirmation through further regulations and guidance, landlords should prepare for the database to become a mandatory part of letting a property.
Registration will likely require:
- Landlord contact details and property information.
- Evidence that key legal and safety obligations are being met, such as gas safety certificates, electrical safety records (EICRs), Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), and deposit protection. For more on maintaining these, read our guide on essential landlord records and compliance.
Important: Landlords who fail to comply with registration requirements may face enforcement action and could be restricted in their ability to rely on certain possession processes. We will continue to monitor government guidance and share further updates as detailed rules, timescales and practical steps are confirmed.
How We Will Support You
As a client on our managed service, we will assist you by helping to provide necessary property and tenancy information required for registration where possible. Our Property Passport will again serve as the core resource for this, and we will continue developing the document to align with changing regulations – bringing all required details into one simple certificate.
Please note that certain details may still need to be provided or confirmed by you directly, specifically regarding personal landlord information, Government Gateway access, property ownership or details held exclusively by you.
If your property is owned jointly, held through a company or trust, or managed under a Power of Attorney, please ensure all ownership and authority records are up to date.
Note on Company Lets: These tenancy types may be treated differently once database requirements are finalised. We will review the relevant details for company lets as part of our ongoing managed service.
Action Points: What You Can Do Now
- Check your Government Gateway access: Government digital services typically operate through this portal, and the PRS database is expected to be accessed online.
- Update your contact details with us: Ensure your correspondence address, email address and phone number are up to date.
- Leave the compliance documents to us: As your managing agent, we will review and prepare key documentation for your rental properties – including gas safety certificates, electrical safety records, EPCs, deposit protection info, and licensing documents.
Please note that registration requirements, associated fees and official launch dates have not been fully confirmed by the government. This update is intended as an early reminder to help you stay ahead of the changes and avoid any last-minute delays once registration opens.
If you have any questions about the Renters’ Rights Act changes or would like support in reviewing your property compliance documents, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
