Landlords must sign up to new government property register or face fines
Summary
The government has announced a new landlord registration service as part of Renters’ Rights Act reforms, with rollout beginning on 15 December in the West Midlands and expanding nationally over the next 12 months. Landlords who fail to register could face fines of up to £7,000, and registration numbers will need to appear on property adverts; future phases may also require registration of vacant properties before marketing.
Why it matters
Residential surveyors involved in rental property work may encounter increased compliance checks, registration references and potential enforcement issues affecting valuation, inspections and marketability. The scheme may also influence rental supply and local market conditions, which can affect advice to clients and stakeholders.
Key points
- New national landlord registration service is part of Renters’ Rights Act reforms.
- Landlords must register by law or risk fines of up to £7,000.
- Letting agents and landlords will need to display registration numbers on adverts.
- Rollout starts in the West Midlands, with a three-month registration window per area.
- Future legislation may extend registration requirements to unoccupied properties before marketing.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
