Private rented sector database: what tenants need to know

The Renters Rights Act is creating a new database of private landlords and their properties in England. Here is what the database is, what it will contain, and what it means for tenants.

What is the private rented sector database?

The private rented sector (PRS) database, sometimes called the landlord register, is a central record of private landlords and the properties they rent out. It is being introduced as part of the Renters Rights Act. Once the database is operational, private landlords in England will be required to register before they can legally let a property.

Why is the database being created?

The database aims to:

• Make it easier for tenants to check whether a landlord is registered and compliant with their legal duties
• Give councils and enforcement bodies better information about which properties are privately rented and who owns them
• Improve standards across the sector by making it harder for landlords to evade their responsibilities

What will the database contain?

The details of what the database will contain are still being confirmed in secondary legislation. Based on the Renters Rights Act and government guidance, it is expected to include:

• The name and contact details of the landlord (or the property manager)
• The address of each rented property
• Compliance status, for example, whether the property has a valid gas safety certificate
• Any relevant court orders made against the landlord

Can tenants check the database?

The government intends for tenants to be able to access the database to check whether their landlord is registered. This is similar to the Rogue Landlords Database (also known as Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker), which currently holds information about landlords who have been convicted of housing offences, though that database is less accessible to the public.

The new PRS database is expected to be more open, allowing prospective tenants to check a landlord or property before they sign an agreement.

What does this mean for landlords who do not register?

Once the requirement to register is in force, a landlord who has not registered will not be entitled to use a section 21 notice to evict a tenant. They may also face financial penalties. Letting agents who market properties for unregistered landlords may also face sanctions.

When is this coming into force?

The Renters Rights Act is progressing through Parliament (as of early 2026) and the database provisions are expected to be phased in over time. There is no fixed date for the database to go live, the government will announce commencement dates as the legislation beds in.

Check the government's Renters Rights Act guidance pages for the latest information.

What should tenants do now?

The database is not yet operational. In the meantime, tenants who want to check their landlord's compliance can:

• Ask the landlord for copies of gas safety, electrical safety, and energy performance certificates, the landlord is legally required to provide these
• Check with the local council's housing team if they have concerns about a landlord's track record
• Search the existing Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker at gov.uk

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

We help with housing disrepair claims. If your rented home is in poor condition, your landlord's registration status does not change your right to bring a disrepair claim.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Renters' Rights Act 2025 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Guide to the Renters' Rights Act (GOV.UK)

Related articles

• Renters Rights Act, what changes for tenants
• Free housing legal advice in England, where to get it