The UK Government will start a roll out of its private rented sector database across England from December this year.

The new service, which will gradually roll out region by region, is part of the second phase of the Renters’ Rights Act.

The government says private renters are set to benefit from “stronger protections, greater transparency and more confidence”.

The government says the new national landlord registration service will provide a clearer route to challenge rent increases in England and provide councils access to information to help them spot rogue landlords.

Registration deadlines will start from 14 March 2027 in the West Midlands, 14 April in the East of England, 14 May in the East Midlands, 14June in the South East, 14 July in Yorkshire and the Humber, 14 August in the North West, 14 September in the North East, 14 October in London and 14 November 2027 in the South West.

Prospective landlords will also need to register, and tenants will be able to see whether their landlord or prospective landlord has signed up.

In addition, HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC’s) valuation office will become responsible for decisions on challenges to rent increases in England.

While the government develops these reforms, renters who want to challenge a rent increase must still apply to the first-tier tribunal.

If they do, they will not have to pay the higher rent until the tribunal has made its final decision.

Housing minister Matthew Pennycook says: “By transferring responsibility for making initial rent determinations to HMRC’s Valuation Office, we will ensure that challenges to proposed rent increases are determined faster and pressure on the tribunal system is reduced, giving tenants and landlords confidence that rent disputes will continue to be resolved efficiently and effectively.”

“Rollout of a national landlord registration service is an important first step toward establishing our new innovative database of private rented sector properties which will empower tenants, support responsible landlords and help councils enforce our transformative Renters’ Rights Act.”

Also commenting on today’s announcement, the National Residential Landlords Association chief executive Ben Beadle states: “Whilst the timetable provides some much-needed certainty, we remain concerned that the private rented sector database will become little more than a national directory for councils, missing a major opportunity to deliver a system which will help raise standards across the market.”

“Rather than just a list of local landlords, the database should be a genuine compliance tool that helps tenants and councils check that homes meet required standards, while enabling responsible landlords to demonstrate that they are meeting their obligations.”

However, Beadle says the association “strongly welcomes” welcome the decision for HMRC’s valuation office to take responsibility for determining challenges to rent increases.

“In rushing to launch a stripped-back minimum viable product, the Government risks building the database quickly rather than building it properly.”

“There is also a real risk of duplication. In many parts of the country landlords already pay for local licensing schemes which collect much of the same information.”

“The Government needs to explain how these systems will work together – compliant landlords should not have to pay twice to provide the same information.”

Meanwhile, Propertymark head of policy and campaigns Timothy Douglas adds: “Letting agents have a crucial role in supporting landlords through the registration process.”

“They can signpost clients to the service and, in time, will need to ensure registration numbers are included in property listings. Where agreed with the landlord, agents will also be able to upload health and safety information and certificates on their behalf.”

“While it is helpful to have the rollout dates in advance, the UK Government’s decision to limit active registration to landlords does not reflect the management arrangements used across the sector. Requiring each landlord to make a separate entry could create unnecessary delays and discourage timely action.”