Understanding the Private Rented Sector Database (PRS Database) 

The Renters’ Rights Act is the biggest reform to London’s private rental sector for decades. Among the changes Marylebone, Soho and St John’s Wood landlords will need to understand is the introduction of the private rented sector database. 

Our guide walks you through what to expect, when the landlord database will be introduced and what might happen if you don’t sign up. 

What is the Private Rented Sector Database? 

The private rented sector database (PRS database) is part of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. It will become a centralised source of information, containing landlord details, property details and safety information. It will also become a central hub for compliance, making it easier for landlords to understand their responsibilities. 

The PRS Database will operate on a mandatory registration basis and it will be the responsibility of the landlord to sign up. It will become illegal to advertise a property if the landlord, or the property that’s available, isn’t registered.  

The new private rented sector database is designed to make renting in London more transparent and improve standards. Both private tenants and local councils will have a degree of access to the landlord database, operating in a similar way to HMRC Companies House. 

When Does the PRS Database Launch?

The private rented sector database is a phase two implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.  No date for the database’s launch was available at the time of writing but the Government has indicated a late 2026 rollout. It will take time for the PRS database to become fully operational, so landlords can expect roll out to continue into 2027. 

Who Must Register on the PRS Database?

Every private landlord in England with assured or regulated tenancies must register. Assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) ended on 30 April 2026. Any replacement tenancies will now be periodic assured tenancies (APTs), which remain within the assured tenancy framework.

Sign up is not optional. The PRS database carries a compulsory registration rule, whether the landlord has one property or a portfolio of buy-to-lets. 

What Information Must Landlords Provide?

Registration will require landlords to provide the following details: 

• Landlord’s contact details: to include the name, address, telephone number and email for each landlord who owns the buy-to-let property. 
• Property details: to include the property’s full address, type (flat/house), number of bedrooms, number of households/residents living at the address, and confirmation whether the property is occupied and furnished.  
• Safety information: as a minimum, landlords should upload valid gas, electric and energy performance (EPC) certificates.  

How Much Will PRS Database Registration Cost?

There will be a cost, per property, to join the private rented sector database but, at present, we don’t know much annual fees are going to be. As a guide, UK HMO license fees are in the region of £500 to £2,500 – but it is likely that the PRS database will be cheaper. The Government says registration costs will fund the PRS database’s launch and ongoing operation. 

What Happens If Landlords Don’t Register?

There will be eviction restrictions and civil penalties for non-registration.  

Landlords not signed up will be barred from obtaining possession orders (exclusively Section 8 notices from 1^st May 2026), unless they are using anti-social behaviour grounds 7A and 14.  

The fines are harsh for landlords not registered. They can expect a £7,000 fine as a first civil penalty. Severe compliance breaches and repeat failures to sign up could result in a £40,000 fine and/or criminal prosecution. 

It will also be a criminal offence to upload false information or fraudulent documents. Doing so could lead to rent repayment orders or further prosecution.  

How the PRS Database Works with Other Requirements

Phase two of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will also see the launch of a mandatory Private Rented Sector (PRS) Landlord Ombudsman Scheme. Landlords will be legally required to join this scheme directly; separate from any redress scheme their letting agent belongs to. The PRS database and landlord ombudsman scheme will work in tandem, creating a transparent registration and remediation service.  

The PRS database will replace the database of rogue landlords but it will not replace licensing schemes.  

How to Prepare for the PRS Database

Landlords should take action now so they’re ready for the private rented sector database’s launch. You should: 

• Locate EPCs, Gas Safety certificates and Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICR) 
• Check each certificate is in date and order new inspections if any have expired 
• Check you have your current tenant’s details recorded correctly 
• Set up a Gov.UK One Login – this is how landlords will register for the PRS database 
• Budget to cover the database’s registration costs 
• Ask your letting agent if they can complete the registration on your behalf 
• Keep in touch with Kubie Gold for news about the launch date 

Private Rented Database FAQs for landlords

Understand the Private Rented Sector Database? We can help.

It will be compulsory for all London landlords to sign up to the new private rented sector database – as will other measures such as allowing pets in property and the end of section 21 evictions. As such, all privately rented properties in Camden, Mayfair, Fitzrovia and across the capital will eventually be visible to prospective tenants.  

Unsure if your EPCs, EICRs, or Gas Safety checks are fully compliant ahead of the portal launch? Contact our Marylebone lettings team today, and we can run a full compliance health check on your portfolio to ensure you are entirely database ready.