Date Published 10 September 2026
The private rented sector in London is undergoing major regulatory changes driven by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. With the first phase of sweeping tenancy reforms already in effect as of 1 May 2026, the Government has now published the phased rollout of the mandatory Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, known as the "Register your rental property" service.
Staying ahead of these legal shifting tides is vital for every local property owner. Below is a concise breakdown of what you need to know.
The New "Register Your Rental Property" Database
Following the publication of the newest regulatory framework, the government has detailed exactly how the national landlord database will function:
The London Timeline: While the regional rollout officially begins in December 2026, landlords with properties in London will be able to register from July 2027, with a strict compliance deadline to be fully registered by October 2027.
Registration Costs: Landlords must pay an annual fee of £65 per property to register, and entries must be renewed and updated every year.
What Must Be Uploaded: Landlords must log their contact details, property addresses, and critical legal safety compliance information, including Gas Safety certificates, Electrical Safety reports (EICRs), and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
Advertising Rules: Once active in a region, landlords and letting agents cannot market or advertise a property without a valid Landlord Registration Number and Property Registration Number.
Fines for Non-Compliance: Local councils can issue civil penalties of up to £7,000 for single registration breaches, scaling up to £40,000 for providing false information or repeatedly letting an unregistered property.
Core Tenancy Regulations under the Renters' Rights Act
The broader legislative framework has fundamentally shifted daily operations for the London rental market:
The Death of Fixed-Terms: All Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) have automatically converted into Assured Periodic Tenancies. Tenancies run month-to-month, meaning tenants can give two months' notice to leave at any time, and landlords can no longer enforce 6- or 12-month lock-in periods.
Eviction Reforms & Notice Periods: With "no-fault" Section 21 evictions officially abolished, landlords wishing to reclaim a property to sell it or move into it themselves must now give tenants a minimum of 4 months' notice.
Rent Increase Restrictions: Landlords are strictly limited to one rent increase per year, which must reflect the open market rate. Furthermore, the Government is transferring initial rent dispute determinations to HMRC's Valuation Office Agency (VOA) to accelerate the appeals process.
New Redress Schemes: Landlords are now required to join a newly established PRS Landlord Ombudsman, creating a streamlined complaint resolution pathway for tenants outside of the court system.
How Acquire Estate Agency Can Help
Navigating this sweeping regulatory overhaul can feel overwhelming, but London landlords do not have to face it alone. With over 20 years of dedicated service in the local Battersea rental market, Acquire Estate Agency is uniquely positioned to help you seamlessly adapt to these changes. Our deep roots in the community and decades of local experience mean we already possess the robust compliance infrastructure needed to handle the transition to Assured Periodic Tenancies and longer eviction notice periods. From audit-proofing your Gas Safety, EICR, and EPC certificates to managing the upcoming July 2027 London database registration, we will ensure your portfolio remains fully compliant and legally protected. Partnering with a long-standing Battersea expert ensures your properties stay continuously occupied, properly marketed under the new advertising rules, and optimized for maximum yield within the boundaries of the new laws.
Is Your Portfolio Fully Compliant? Get a Free Health Check
Don't risk hefty council fines or marketing delays while navigating these complex new databases.
Book a Free Compliance Consultation with Acquire Estate Agency today. You can also pop by our Battersea office for a face-to-face chat, and our local lettings experts will audit your current certificates, review your tenancy setups, and build a stress-free transition plan tailored to your property portfolio.
