Two activist groups have enthusiastically welcomed the launch of a private rental database.
Generation Rent heralded the news with social media posts saying “WIN”.
And a statement from the new chief executive – Holly Williamson, who worked for Labour MP John Healey prior to joining the activist group – says: “Homes are the foundations of our lives, but right now we know very little about the people who we rent them from.
“Landlords demand all sorts of intrusive information about us before we can secure a tenancy, so the new landlord register offers a chance to level the playing field. It also brings England into line with every other part of the UK where landlords already need to be registered.
“The new database could give renters the information they need to make much better informed decisions about their homes, while also helping councils make sure landlords are abiding by the new law, with the fee for landlords helping to fund council enforcement teams.
“But it will only be as useful as the information it records.
“It’s particularly vital the database records actual rents, to help inform rent tribunal decisions, and eviction notices, to help councils enforce the ban on re-letting a home after landlords evict in order to sell or move in themselves.”
As part of the second phase of the Renters Rights Act implementation, landlords of assured or regulated tenancies will be required to register themselves and each property.
Registration will be introduced region by region, with the following deadlines:
Regional registration deadlines
- West Midlands – 14 March 2027
- East of England – 14 April 2027
- East Midlands – 14 May 2027
- South East – 14 June 2027
- Yorkshire and the Humber – 14 July 2027
- North West – 14 August 2027
- North East – 14 September 2027
- London – 14 October 2027
- South West – 14 November 2027
Within the new database, landlords will be expected to provide key details, such as personal information, property specifications, tenancy information, rental details and health and safety information, including gas and electrical safety certificates and EPC data, to demonstrate compliance with minimum energy efficiency standards moving forward.
Mairi MacRae, director of policy and campaigns at Shelter, adds: “The government’s new private rental sector database has the potential to increase safety and security in private renting by helping to expose the dodgy ‘fly-by-night’ landlords who swerve their responsibilities and charge over the odds for shoddy homes.”
