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

Landlords in England to Register Properties Under New Renters’ Rights Reforms

Private landlords in England will be required to register their rental properties as part of the government’s next phase of Renters’ Rights Act reforms. The new national registration service, ‘Register your rental property’, will begin rolling out from December 2026 and will become a legal requirement for all landlords with rental properties in England.

The reforms are designed to improve protections for tenants and strengthen enforcement against rogue landlords. Councils will have access to landlord and property information through the register, enabling them to identify non-compliant landlords more quickly and take enforcement action where necessary. Tenants will also be able to check if a landlord is registered, helping them make more informed decisions and increasing confidence that landlords are operating within the rules.

The government has stated that the register aims to create a fairer market by allowing responsible landlords to demonstrate compliance, while preventing rogue operators from gaining an unfair advantage. Landlords will be required to register their properties as the scheme is introduced region by region. Once a region enters the roll-out programme, landlords will have three months to complete registration. Failure to register within this period could result in financial penalties. The requirements will initially apply to properties that are already let or become occupied during the roll-out period. All landlords actively letting property in England are expected to be registered by 14 November 2027.

In addition to the registration reforms, the government has announced that HMRC’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will take responsibility for determining challenges to rent increases in England. This change is intended to speed up the resolution of rent disputes and reduce pressure on the tribunal system. Until the new process is introduced, tenants wishing to challenge a rent increase will continue to apply to the First-tier Tribunal. Renters who submit a challenge will not be required to pay the increased rent until a final decision has been reached.

The government has indicated that the future service will build on the VOA’s expertise in the rental sector and aims to create a “modern, digital-first” system for both tenants and landlords.