Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.

Concerns Raised Over National Landlord Register's Impact on Workload and Fees

England's forthcoming national landlord register could increase workload and fees for letting agents and landlords without necessarily improving standards, according to Propertymark. The organisation has cautioned that the new database must avoid duplicating information already collected by local licensing schemes or other government systems.

A national register of landlords is due to be introduced in England later this year under the Renters’ Right Act. The scheme will require private landlords to register their personal details and individual properties, display unique registration numbers on adverts, and pay an annual fee.

Propertymark stated that while it supports the principle of a national landlord and property register, the system should be centrally developed and operated, with local authorities able to access information and carry out enforcement. The group emphasised that the database should not simply duplicate existing data, as this could lead to increased workload and fees without delivering better standards.

The organisation also highlighted the need for clarity regarding how the database, unique identifiers, property advertising, and the new Landlord Ombudsman will interact. It called for legislation and supporting technology to be workable and based on evidence from those who will use the system.

Propertymark further stressed the importance of providing sufficient resources to ensure the scheme can be enforced effectively. The group noted that the database should support, rather than replace, local enforcement, as some landlords may not register or could submit false documents. Councils will still require adequate staff, resources, and investigatory capacity to identify non-compliance.

Finally, Propertymark suggested that enforcement should assist landlords and agents who are trying to comply and correct genuine mistakes, while stronger penalties should be reserved for deliberate and repeated breaches.