Important changes are coming for landlords in England – and South East landlords will need to register their rental properties during 2027.
As part of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, the Government is introducing a new Private Rented Sector Database, known as the Register Your Rental Property Service.
The database is designed to provide the Government and local authorities with key information about privately rented properties and their landlords.
For landlords in the South East, registration will open from 15th December 2026, with the legal requirement to register coming into effect from 15th March 2027. South East landlords will then have until 14th June 2027 to complete their registration. These dates apply to properties within the Government’s South East region. If you have properties in different parts of the country, each property will be subject to the deadline for its own region.
Key dates for South East landlords
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15 December 2026 | Registration opens |
| 15 March 2027 | Legal requirement to register comes into effect |
| 14 June 2027 | Deadline to complete registration |
What does this mean for South East landlords?
If you let a property under an assured or regulated tenancy, you will need to register yourself as a landlord and register each relevant rental property.
The cost will be £65 per property, per year.
You can register before the deadline if you wish, and this may be a sensible approach for landlords with several properties, particularly as the registration process requires a reasonable amount of information.
Can Alexandre Boyes register the property for me?
No – the landlord must complete the registration themselves. The regulations specifically require the landlord to register, meaning a letting agent cannot register on a landlord’s behalf.
However, Alexandre Boyes can assist our managed landlords by providing some of the information needed for the registration. The Government is expected to provide further guidance for agents and property managers before registration opens.
At Alexandre Boyes, we will continue to keep our landlords informed as further guidance becomes available and can help ensure that the property information we hold is accurate and up to date.
What happens after registration?
Registration isn’t a one-off exercise. Landlords will need to maintain their database entry and renew their registration annually.
If important details change, the database will need to be updated within 28 days. This could include:
- A change in rent
- A new gas or electrical safety certificate
- A new EPC or registered exemption
- A change in the number of occupiers
The annual £65 fee applies to each registered property.
What happens if a landlord doesn’t register?
The new requirements are not simply an administrative exercise. There are significant potential penalties for failing to comply.
Civil penalties of up to £7,000 can apply to certain breaches, including failing to maintain the required registration or, once the relevant advertising provisions come into force, marketing an unregistered property.
More serious or repeated breaches can result in penalties of up to £40,000. There can also be implications for rent repayment orders and a landlord’s ability to obtain possession of a property.
What should South East landlords do now?
There is no need to register immediately. However, with registration opening on 15 December 2026, landlords can start preparing now. We recommend:
- Check your property records. Make sure your property, tenancy and landlord details are accurate.
- Check your compliance documents. Make sure your gas safety records, EICRs and EPC information are up to date.
- Make a note of the dates. For South East properties, registration is required between 15 March and 14 June 2027.
- Allow plenty of time. Landlords with several properties will need to create entries for each property, so it is worth avoiding a last-minute rush.
- Keep an eye out for further guidance. The Government is expected to publish further information about the registration process before it opens.
How Alexandre Boyes can help
The introduction of the landlord database is another important change for the private rented sector.
While landlords will need to complete the registration themselves, Alexandre Boyes will continue to support our landlords by keeping them informed about changes to legislation and helping ensure that the property information we hold is accurate and up to date.
If you have any questions about the new landlord database or your property, please speak to Rachel Norris, our Lettings Director, on 01892 525522 or at rachel.norris@alexandre-boyes.co.uk.
Please note: This article is intended as a general guide for landlords in the South East of England based on the legislation and guidance available at the time of publication. Further Government guidance may be issued before registration opens, so requirements may be subject to change.
