New Landlord Register: What Cambridge Landlords Need to Know
The government is currently testing its new landlord registration system, which will be known as "Register your rental property".
The register forms part of the next phase of the Renters' Rights Act and is expected to be rolled out across England from late 2026, with implementation continuing through 2027.
Whilst there are still some details to be confirmed, one thing is already clear: all private landlords will need to register themselves and their rental properties.
What Will Landlords Need to Do?
Every landlord will be required to:
- Log into the government registration portal using a GOV.UK One Login account.
- Register themselves as a landlord.
- Register each rental property they own.
- Obtain a Landlord Registration Number and a Property Registration Number for each property.
Once registration is complete, landlords will receive these reference numbers from the government.
What Information Will Be Required?
The final requirements are still being tested, but landlords should expect to provide information such as:
- Ownership details
- Property address and type
- Number of bedrooms
- Occupancy details
- Rent information
- EPC information
- Gas Safety Certificate details
- Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) details
For landlords whose properties we manage, the compliance documents likely to be required are already held on file and should therefore be readily available when registration becomes mandatory.
Will There Be a Registration Fee?
Yes, the government has confirmed that landlords will need to pay fees to join and maintain the register. This will include a personal registration fee for the landlord, as well as a fee for each property added to the register. At the time of writing, the exact amounts have not yet been announced.
How Can Cambridge Property Lettings Help?
The government has indicated that agents may be able to upload property information on behalf of landlords once a landlord has obtained their Landlord Registration Number and Property Registration Number.
We are currently investigating how this will work in practice and whether information can be submitted through our Street CRM software or whether a manual process will be required.
As further details become available, we will keep landlords informed.
What Happens If a Landlord Does Not Register?
This is not expected to be optional.
Current proposals include:
- Civil penalties of up to £7,000 for an initial breach.
- Penalties of up to £40,000 for serious or repeated breaches.
- Restrictions on a landlord's ability to regain possession of their property if they are not properly registered.
In practical terms, failing to register could have significant financial and legal consequences.
Advertising Rental Properties
The government has also indicated that a valid Property Registration Number will need to be included when advertising rental properties.
This means registration will become an important part of the lettings process, as properties will not be able to be marketed without a valid registration number.
What Should Landlords Do Now?
At present, there is no action required.
However, we recommend that landlords:
- Ensure they have access to a GOV.UK One Login account.
- Check that ownership details for their properties are accurate and up to date.
- Keep copies of compliance certificates and documentation.
- Watch out for future updates as the government finalises the rollout timetable.
Final Thoughts
Although the registration system is still being tested, the direction of travel is clear. Every landlord will need to register themselves and their rental properties with the government.
Landlords who fail to register could face substantial financial penalties and may find their ability to regain possession of their property restricted.
For landlords whose properties we manage, the necessary compliance documentation should already be in place. Over the coming months we will continue to monitor developments and keep landlords informed as further details are released by the government.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact the Cambridge Property Lettings team.
This article is intended as a general guide. The final requirements, fees and implementation timetable for the government's "Register your rental property" service may change as the scheme moves from testing to full rollout.
