Landlord Registration Scheme:
New National Landlord Registration Scheme: What Landlords Need to Know
Landlord Update | September 2026
Landlords across England are facing another significant change to the private rented sector, with the Government preparing to introduce a new national registration system for landlords and rental properties.
The new “Register your rental property” service forms part of the wider reforms being introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
The system is intended to create a national database of private landlords and rented properties, giving tenants greater transparency while helping local authorities identify landlords and properties that may not be meeting their legal obligations.
For responsible landlords, the message is straightforward: good record-keeping and property compliance are becoming more important than ever.
When Will the New Landlord Register Start?
The new system is expected to begin its phased introduction from December 2026, rather than every landlord in England being required to register immediately.
The Government intends to roll the system out region by region, with landlords becoming legally required to register when the scheme reaches their area.
Once their area joins the scheme, landlords will be given a specified period in which to complete their registration.
The rollout is expected to continue across England throughout 2027.
Marlborough Homes will monitor the implementation timetable and keep our landlords informed as further areas are brought into the scheme.
What Is the National Landlord Database?
The registration service is the first stage of a new national database covering England's private rented sector.
It is expected to contain information about:
Private landlords
Individual rental properties
Property registration status
Relevant landlord and property information
Compliance information required under the scheme
The Government intends the database to make it easier for tenants to establish whether a landlord and property are correctly registered.
Local authorities will also be able to use the information to support enforcement of private rented sector legislation.
Will Registration Be Compulsory?
Yes. Once the registration requirement has been introduced in a landlord's area, registration will become a legal requirement for affected landlords.
Failure to comply could result in financial penalties.
Landlords should therefore not regard the new database as an optional accreditation scheme. It will form part of the regulatory framework governing the private rented sector.
However, landlords should also avoid attempting to register before the appropriate Government service and regional requirements are in place.
What About Landlords With More Than One Property?
The system is designed to record both landlords and the individual properties they let.
This is particularly important for portfolio landlords.
Each applicable rental property will need to be correctly recorded on the database, meaning landlords should ensure that their ownership, property and compliance records are accurate and readily available.
Property Advertising Is Also Changing
One of the most important changes for landlords considering reletting a property concerns advertising.
Under the planned system, landlord and property registration will become increasingly connected to the marketing of rental properties.
Landlords and letting agents will be required to display the relevant registration number on affected property advertisements.
Further measures are also expected to require vacant rental properties to be registered before they can be advertised for rent.
This means registration checks are likely to become another important part of the pre-marketing compliance process, alongside matters such as the EPC and other required documentation.
What Information Will Tenants Be Able to See?
The Government intends prospective and existing tenants to have access to certain information held through the new registration service.
This should allow tenants to check whether a landlord and rental property have been properly registered.
The intention is to improve transparency and make it more difficult for persistently non-compliant landlords to operate outside the regulatory system.
For professional landlords who already maintain their properties and documentation correctly, the new database should help distinguish compliant landlords from those who fail to meet the required standards.
What Does This Mean for Marlborough Homes Landlords?
For landlords using Marlborough Homes, our objective is to make the transition as straightforward as possible.
The private rented sector has experienced substantial regulatory change, and we appreciate that keeping track of every new requirement can be challenging.
For our fully managed properties, we already maintain and monitor a range of important documentation, which can include:
Gas Safety Certificates
Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs)
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
Deposit protection information
Tenancy documentation
Property licensing information
Property inspection records
Safety and compliance documentation
As the Government publishes further details about the national registration system, we will incorporate the appropriate checks into our management and letting procedures.
Where action or additional information is required from a landlord, we will contact you and explain what needs to be done.
Rent Increase Challenges Are Changing Too
The Government has also announced changes to the process used when a tenant challenges a proposed rent increase.
Currently, tenants can challenge certain rent increases through the First-tier Tribunal.
Under the proposed new system, HMRC's Valuation Office will take responsibility for making initial rent determinations.
The objective is to make the process faster while reducing pressure on the tribunal system.
This makes it increasingly important for landlords to ensure proposed rent increases are reasonable, supported by market evidence and implemented using the correct legal procedure.
Setting the Right Rent Is Becoming Increasingly Important
Landlords should avoid assuming that an increase can simply be applied because similar properties appear online at a particular asking rent.
The appropriate market rent should take account of matters such as:
Property type and size
Condition
Location
Local demand
Comparable recently let properties
Furnishing and specification
Current market conditions
For properties managed by Marlborough Homes, we can advise landlords on the current rental market and appropriate comparable evidence before a rent review is undertaken.
What Should Landlords Do Now?
There is no need for landlords to panic or attempt to register before the system becomes applicable to them.
However, now is a sensible time to make sure your property records are in order.
Landlords should check that their contact details and ownership information are current, and that relevant property certificates, licences, tenancy documents and compliance records are complete and readily accessible.
Portfolio landlords should pay particular attention to ensuring records are accurate for every property they own and let.
If Marlborough Homes fully manages your property, we will continue monitoring the regulatory changes and will advise you when further action is required.
The Private Rented Sector Is Changing
The introduction of a national landlord and property database represents another significant change to the way England's private rented sector is regulated.
Alongside the wider Renters’ Rights Act reforms, landlords are operating in an environment where professional management, accurate documentation and ongoing compliance are increasingly important.
At Marlborough Homes, our role goes beyond simply finding a tenant.
We help landlords navigate changing legislation, maintain compliant rental properties and manage their investments professionally.
If you are concerned about the new registration requirements, property licensing, compliance certificates, rent reviews or the management of your rental property, our team is here to help.
Marlborough Homes
Lettings | Property Management | Sales
020 8989 8796
info@mbhomes.co.uk
Unit 9, 96 George Lane, South Woodford, London E18 1AD
It’s about finding a home where life feels right.
Important Information
This article is intended as general information for landlords and does not constitute legal advice. The national registration system is being implemented through further regulations and Government guidance. Requirements, fees, dates and procedures should therefore be checked against the latest official guidance before action is taken.