The private rented sector is continuing to see significant changes, and landlords now have another important date to add to their calendars.

The Government has announced that a new Private Rented Sector Database, which will require landlords to register themselves and their rental properties, will begin rolling out from 15 December 2026.

The West Midlands will be the first region to take part, meaning landlords with rental properties in areas including Telford, Shrewsbury, Stafford and Wolverhampton will be among those affected at the start of the rollout.

What is the new landlord registration service?

The new service is being introduced as part of the Renters’ Rights Act and is designed to create a central database of private landlords and rental properties.

The Government says the database will give councils greater access to information, helping them identify rogue landlords and take enforcement action where necessary. In time, it will also provide tenants with information about their landlord and rental property.

Registration will be a legal requirement for landlords, rather than an optional scheme.

The database is expected to hold information about landlords and their properties, including property details and certain safety information such as Gas Safety, Electrical Safety and Energy Performance Certificate information.

When will landlords in the West Midlands need to register?

The national rollout will begin on 15 December 2026.

The West Midlands is the first region to be brought into the scheme, with other areas following over the subsequent 12 months.

When an area is called forward for registration, landlords will have three months to sign up.

The Government has confirmed that all landlords actively letting property will need to have registered by 14 November 2027.

For landlords across Telford, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Wolverhampton or elsewhere in the West Midlands, this means the new requirements are approaching relatively quickly.

What will landlords need to do?

Landlords will need to register their rental properties through the new service and provide the information required by the Government.

The exact registration process and full details of the information required will be set out as the service launches, but the Government's current plans include information such as:

- Landlord contact details

- The property's full address

- Property type and number of bedrooms

- Information about households or residents

- Whether the property is occupied and furnished

- Gas, electrical and energy performance information

Landlords will also be required to pay a registration fee of £65 per property, with the Government's implementation roadmap confirming that an annual fee will apply.

What happens if a landlord doesn't register?

Registration will be mandatory.

Landlords who fail to comply could face financial penalties and enforcement action. The database legislation gives local authorities powers to take action where landlords do not meet their registration requirements.

There is also an important future consideration for landlords who have properties that are currently empty.

The Government has said that, once the public-facing part of the database is introduced, landlords will also need to register unoccupied properties before marketing them for let. Letting agents and landlords will then need to include registration numbers in property advertisements.

This is something landlords should be aware of when planning future lettings.

Another change landlords should be aware of

The new registration service is just one part of the wider changes being introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act.

The first phase of the Act came into effect on 1 May 2026, bringing significant changes to how private rented properties are let and managed, including the end of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and the move towards assured periodic tenancies.

The Government's next phase includes the new Private Rented Sector Database, alongside plans for a Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is intended to provide a dedicated route for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants and is expected to become mandatory for landlords once the service is ready.

What should landlords do now?

Although registration doesn't begin until December, landlords don't need to wait until then to prepare.

If you have a rental property in Telford, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Wolverhampton or elsewhere in the West Midlands, it is worth making sure your property records are up to date and that you have the relevant documentation readily available.

In particular, landlords should make sure they have current records relating to:

- Gas safety

- Electrical safety

- EPCs

- Property details

- Landlord contact information

- Tenancy and occupancy information

If you use a professional letting agent or property management service, it is also worth speaking to your agent about how the new requirements will be handled and what information they may need from you.

How can our Property Management team help?

The private rented sector is becoming increasingly regulated, and keeping up with every new requirement can be challenging for landlords, particularly those managing property alongside work and other commitments.

The new registration service will cost £65 per property, per year. Landlords will need to register themselves and pay the annual fee directly, but if you use a managed letting agent, you can then allocate your agent to your property on the database.

For landlords who choose DB Roberts' Property Management service, this means we can manage the property information on your behalf and upload and maintain your property's required legal certificates, helping to keep your records up to date.

This can provide valuable peace of mind for landlords as the new database becomes part of the ongoing requirements of letting a property.

With further changes to the private rented sector on the horizon, we are here to help landlords understand what the changes mean for their properties and stay prepared as new requirements come into effect.

If you're a landlord and would like to discuss your property or our letting and property management services, get in touch with our Property Management team.