Landlord database: Rollout to start in December
Rollout of the new landlord database will begin this December – with landlords to pay £65 per property per year to register.
It is compulsory for all private sector landlords to sign up to the new database, which is being introduced under phase two of the Renters’ Rights Act.
A full timetable has now been confirmed, with the 12-month regional roll out starting in the West Midlands on 15th December. You will be given a three-month window to comply with the new rules, with all landlords to registered by 14th November next year.
You can find out your registration deadline below:
Do I need to sign up?
Landlords of homes occupied under assured or regulated tenancies must sign up to what the Government describes as a ‘Register Your Property Service', including all existing tenancies and any signed during the roll out period.
Empty homes being marketed to let do not need to be registered at this stage – although this will change in future when you will need to provide a registration number before you can advertise your property.
It is also worth noting that agents cannot register homes on the database on your behalf, you must do this yourself.
Landlords who fail to sign up could face civil penalties of up to £7,000 – rising to £40,000 for multiple or continued breaches.
How do I join the register – and what do I need to include?
It is expected you will need to join the database via the Government website – with our understanding that each property will need to be added individually. While the Government has not yet confirmed exactly what data will need to be added - which is set to be confirmed tomorrow - but it is it expected to include:
- The address of the property
- The type of ownership (freehold, leasehold, commonhold)
- Type of property (detached, semi, terraced)
- Whether the property is licensed
- How many people live in the property and whether it's a HMO
- The rent, whether it includes bills, and the rent frequency
- The relevant safety certificates (gas, EPC, EICR/EIC)
Valuation Office to rule on rent increases
At the same time it made the announcement, the Government also revealed new plans to give additional power to the Valuation Office (VOA), allowing it to rule on rent disputes.
Once new legislation is passed, challenges to section 13 rent increases will be determined by the VOA rather than the First-tier tribunal (which deals with them at present), in a bid to speed up the process and free up tribunal time.
The scheme is expected to take two years to be introduced, although it is not yet clear when this process will begin.
Join our webinar
We will be hosting a free and exclusive member webinar on the landlord database on 1st October.
The hour-long session ‘Renters’ Rights Q&A – Registering on the database’ will be held at 11am on Zoom.
The webinar will focus on what the new database look like, what will you need to do to comply and how your information will be used, as well as how the new rules are likely to be enforced.
You will also have the opportunity to put your questions to our team of experts.
More information
- To visit our Renters' Rights Hub, packed with information and resources to help you manage the transition, click here.
- The NRLA's award-winning training academy runs a comprehensive Renters' Rights Act training offer. Click here to book your place.
