How to use the new landlord register to check who you rent from
Key points
- From 15 December 2026, a new national landlord register starts rolling out across England — you will be able to use it to check whether your landlord is properly signed up
- The register reaches all regions over 12 months, and every private landlord in England must be registered by 14 November 2027
- You can look up any landlord — including one you are thinking of renting from — to check they meet basic legal requirements before you sign a tenancy
A new national register of private landlords is launching in England from December 2026. Once it reaches your area, you will be able to check whether your landlord is properly registered. This gives you more confidence when you are looking for a home or if a problem comes up during your tenancy.
What the register is
The Private Rented Sector Database is a list of all private landlords and rental properties in England. It was created under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Landlords must sign up to a service called "Register your rental property." Once they are on the list, you will be able to see that they are registered and following key legal requirements.
The database is different from local licensing schemes that some councils already run. This one covers private landlords across all of England — not just in certain boroughs or towns.
When it will reach you
The service opens on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands. After that, it rolls out to the rest of England region by region over 12 months.
All private landlords in England must be registered by 14 November 2027.
When the database reaches a new region, landlords there get three months to sign up. You can check the government website for updates on when your area is due.
Search for your next property on DSSmove →What you will be able to do
Once the database is live in your area, you will be able to:
- Check that your current landlord is registered
- Look up a prospective landlord before you sign a tenancy
- See whether they are meeting basic legal requirements
This is helpful if you claim Universal Credit (UC) or Housing Benefit and rent from a private landlord. Knowing your landlord is on the register gives you one more layer of confidence that they are following the rules.
Checking a landlord before you move in can also help you spot a problem early — which is much easier to deal with before you sign anything.
If your landlord is not registered
Once the database is running in your area, all private landlords must be signed up. If yours is not, do not try to handle it alone — get free advice first.
Contact Citizens Advice or Shelter. They can explain what an unregistered landlord means for your tenancy and tell you what options you have.
Shelter also runs a free housing helpline if you want to speak to someone quickly. Both services are on your side and will not put your home at risk.
Frequently asked questions
My landlord is not registered when the database reaches my area — what should I do?
Contact Citizens Advice or Shelter first. They offer free advice and can help you understand what an unregistered landlord means for your tenancy, without putting your home at risk.
Does the landlord register apply across the whole UK?
No — the Private Rented Sector Database covers England only. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each run their own landlord registers. Citizens Advice can point you to the right register for where you live.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/stronger-protections-and-greater-confidence-for-renters