New Landlord Database: What Has Changed and What Do Landlords Need to Do?

The Government has published important new guidance on the national landlord database, giving landlords across England a much clearer picture of what they will need to do, how much it will cost and when they must register.

The new service, officially called Register your rental property, forms part of the Renters' Rights reforms and will introduce compulsory registration for private landlords and their rental properties.

At Normie Estate Agents, we're keeping a close eye on these changes to help our landlords across Prestwich, Whitefield, Bury, Salford and Greater Manchester prepare.

What's New?

The latest Government guidance, published on 29 October 2026, confirms several important details:

• £65 annual fee per rental property, with no VAT.

• Compulsory registration for landlords and qualifying rental properties.

• North West registration opens on 15 May 2027, with a deadline of 14 August 2027.

• Annual renewals will be required to maintain registration.

• Landlords must start the registration themselves, although managing agents can assist with certain information.

• Changes to property information must generally be updated within 28 days.

• Financial penalties of up to £7,000 for failing to register, with higher penalties for certain serious or repeated breaches.

These are significant changes, particularly for landlords with multiple properties.

How Much Will the Landlord Database Cost?

The Government has confirmed an annual registration fee of £65 per property.

For landlords with larger portfolios, this will become another ongoing operating cost.

For example:

Number of Properties	Annual Cost
1 property	£65
3 properties	£195
5 properties	£325
10 properties	£650
20 properties	£1,300

The fee is payable annually and is separate from any existing local licensing requirements.

The Government has also confirmed that fees during the initial rollout will be adjusted on a pro-rata basis, meaning the first payment may be lower than the full annual charge.

When Will Landlords in Manchester Need to Register?

The registration service launches nationally in stages from 15 December 2026, beginning in the West Midlands.

For landlords in Greater Manchester and the wider North West, the important dates are:

Registration opens: 15 May 2027

Registration deadline: 14 August 2027

This means landlords in Prestwich, Whitefield, Bury, Radcliffe, Salford and surrounding areas will have a three-month registration window.

Although registration is not yet compulsory in our region, we recommend landlords begin preparing their property information well in advance.

What Information Will Landlords Need to Provide?

The database is designed to hold information about landlords, their rental properties and compliance with relevant legal requirements.

Landlords will need to provide details about themselves and their properties, including information such as:

• Property address and ownership details

• Property type and number of bedrooms

• Current tenancy and rental information

• Monthly rent

• Relevant property licensing information

• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

• Gas safety certification, where applicable

• Electrical safety certification

• Other required property and compliance information

Importantly, the information will need to be kept up to date.

For example, changes to rental amounts, occupancy details or relevant safety certificates will generally need to be reflected on the database within 28 days.

Can My Letting Agent Register My Properties for Me?

This is one of the most important points clarified in the latest guidance.

Landlords will need to begin their own registration and remain legally responsible for ensuring their properties are correctly registered.

However, they will be able to authorise their letting or managing agent to provide certain tenancy, property and compliance information.

This could include updating rent details, licensing information and relevant safety certificates.

At Normie, we're reviewing the requirements and how best to support our managed landlords as the system becomes available.

We are also monitoring developments with our property management software to understand how the process can be made as straightforward as possible.

What Happens If a Landlord Doesn't Register?

The Government has confirmed that failing to comply with the registration requirements could result in financial penalties.

Landlords who fail to register may face penalties of up to £7,000.

More serious or repeated breaches, including knowingly or recklessly providing false or misleading information, could result in penalties of up to £40,000.

The database is intended to help local authorities identify non-compliance and improve standards across the private rented sector.

Will Tenants Be Able to See the Database?

Eventually, yes.

The Government intends to introduce a public-facing element of the database, allowing tenants to check certain information about landlords and rental properties.

However, this will be introduced at a later stage, and the exact information made publicly available has not yet been finalised.

During the initial registration rollout, landlord and property information will not be publicly accessible.

Does This Replace Selective Licensing?

No.

The national landlord database is separate from existing selective, additional and mandatory HMO licensing schemes.

Landlords whose properties require a licence will still need to comply with those requirements, even after registering on the national database.

This is particularly relevant across Greater Manchester, where licensing requirements can differ depending on the local authority and property location.

What Should Landlords Do Now?

Our advice is not to panic, but to get organised.

Although the North West deadline is still several months away, landlords should use this time to ensure their property records are accurate and their compliance documentation is up to date.

If you own several rental properties, it is worth checking that you have the correct information available for each one.

For landlords whose properties are managed by Normie, we will continue monitoring developments and provide further guidance as the registration date approaches.

Our View at Normie

The introduction of the landlord database represents another significant administrative change for the private rented sector.

While the intention is to improve transparency and raise standards, it will inevitably mean additional costs and responsibilities for landlords who are already navigating substantial regulatory changes.

We believe the key will be making the registration process as straightforward as possible, particularly for responsible landlords who already maintain their properties to the required standards.

At Normie, we'll continue keeping our landlords informed as further details are released.

Need advice about your rental property?

Whether you own one buy-to-let or manage a larger portfolio, our lettings team is here to help you navigate the changing rental market.

Contact Normie Estate Agents on 0161 773 7715 or email lettings@normie.co.uk.

Information correct as of 10 November 2026 and based on the latest published Government guidance. Requirements and implementation details may be updated as the service is rolled out.