Landlord Update: Renters Rights Act, Phase 2

Following the Government’s latest announcement last week, we are writing today witha further update for all Landlords re, the Renters Rights Act, Phase 2, which involves the following:-

Phase 2 – late 2026: Database and ombudsman

• Private Rented Sector Database introduced with initial rollout to landlords with mandatory landlordregistration with annual fee followed by the public rollout.
• Ombudsman service launched in two stages, with full rollout expected by 2028.

Contact Us 02071234152

What we know thus far:-

1. Registration on the Private Rented Sector Database will cost Landlords £65.00 per property, per year (we do not yet know if VAT is applicable or not).
2. It is charged per property rather than per Landlord so a Landlord with four rented properties pays the fee four times and it is payable again on each annual renewal.
3. Registration opens on 15 December 2026 and rolls out region by region starting with the West Midlands (see Region map below for further details).
4. Landlords will have three months from their region’s commencement date to register each Let property.
5. Currently, the requirements cover properties that are currently Let or that become Let during the rollout period. Unoccupied properties do not need to be registered yet, although this is likely to change.
6. Currently the information requirement will cover landlords’ details, dwelling details, tenancy details, rent details ad health and safety evidence (Gas, Electrical, Energy etc.)
7. The fines involved for Landlords who do not register carries both financial and possession consequences. guidance states the fines involve range between £7,000, rising up to £40,000. Government guidance indicates that an unregistered landlord will not be able to obtain a possession order (except under exceptional grounds).
8. The Government have said that the public facing element of the service is not live at launch, although future tenants will be able to use the service to check where a landlord is complying with key legal requirements and that a list of information the public will be able to access will be published at a later stage.

Contact Us 02071234152