Landlords across England will soon be legally required to register their rental properties under a new national scheme, the government has announced.
The new Register Your Rental Property service is due to launch on 15 December 2026, beginning in the West Midlands before being introduced across the rest of England over the following 12 months.
The register forms part of the government’s wider programme of reforms to the private rented sector under the Renters’ Rights Act.
When will landlords need to register?
Registration will become a legal requirement when the scheme reaches the area in which the property is situated.
Landlords will then have three months to register, with every landlord actively letting property in England expected to have completed registration by 14 November 2027.
The precise rollout date for Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds has not yet been confirmed.
The annual registration fee will be £65 per property, and registration will need to be renewed each year. Landlords who fail to comply could face financial penalties.
Which rental properties will be affected?
The first stage will apply to properties that are already let, together with properties that become occupied while the scheme is being introduced.
Further legislation is expected to extend the requirement to vacant rental properties. Once this takes effect, landlords will need to register a property before it can be advertised for rent.
Landlords and letting agents will also be required to display the property’s registration number on rental advertisements.
Prospective tenants are expected to be given access to registration information, allowing them to check whether a landlord and property have been correctly registered.
Local authorities will also be able to access the database, helping councils identify landlords who may not be complying with their legal responsibilities.
What is the purpose of the register?
The service will form the first stage of a national database covering privately rented properties in England.
The government says the register will provide tenants with greater transparency, support responsible landlords and make it easier for councils to identify and act against non-compliance.
Housing minister Matthew Pennycook described the registration service as an important first step towards establishing the new national database.
Changes to rent increase challenges
The government has also announced plans to change the way tenants challenge proposed rent increases.
At present, a tenant who wishes to dispute an increase must apply to the First-tier Tribunal. Under the proposed system, HMRC’s Valuation Office will take responsibility for making the initial rent determination.
The existing Tribunal process will remain in place while the new service is developed.
The government has also said that where a proposed increase is challenged, the tenant will not have to pay the higher rent until the Tribunal has reached its final decision.
This makes it particularly important that landlords obtain reliable evidence of market rent and follow the correct statutory process before proposing an increase.
What should landlords do now?
Landlords in Cirencester and across the Cotswolds do not need to register immediately, but they should begin preparing for the new requirement.
We recommend that landlords:
- Check that their ownership and contact details are accurate
- Review their property and tenancy records
- Ensure all required safety certificates and compliance documents are current
- Budget for the £65 annual registration fee for each property
- Obtain professional advice before increasing the rent
- Look out for confirmation of the Gloucestershire rollout date
For landlords whose properties are fully managed by Adkins Property, we will monitor the rollout carefully and provide further guidance as soon as the registration timetable and detailed requirements for our area are confirmed.
The introduction of another annual registration requirement will inevitably add to landlords’ administration and costs. However, professional landlords who already maintain compliant properties and accurate records should be well placed to adapt.
If you own a rental property in Cirencester or the wider Cotswolds and would like advice about the Renters’ Rights Act, rent reviews or the forthcoming landlord register, please contact Adkins Property on 01285 239486.
This article is based on information announced on 9 September 2026. Further regulations and detailed government guidance are expected before the scheme reaches Gloucestershire.
Source: Property Industry Eye – All landlords ordered to register properties under new national scheme
Adkins Property | Cirencester & The Cotswolds
Launching Homes Differently
