Phase 2 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 will introduce mandatory landlord registration through a new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database and a PRS Landlord Ombudsman in England. The database rollout is scheduled to begin from late 2026, while mandatory membership of the Ombudsman scheme is expected in 2028.
These changes will introduce new responsibilities for private landlords, including registering rental properties, providing property safety information and paying annual fees.
Here is what landlords need to know about Phase 2 of the Renters' Rights Act, including the expected implementation dates, registration requirements and costs.
Phase 2 is the second stage of the Government's implementation of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, focusing on improving transparency, accountability and dispute resolution in England's private rented sector.
The Government has outlined two key measures:
The changes will be introduced gradually, with the PRS Database launching first and the Ombudsman following later.
Phase 2 is scheduled to begin from late 2026, with the regional rollout of the PRS Database.
According to the Government's implementation roadmap, the expected timeline is:
The Government has not confirmed every implementation date, and further details will be announced as the rollout progresses.
The Private Rented Sector Database will be a new mandatory registration system for landlords in England.
All private rented sector landlords will be required to register on the PRS Database and pay an annual fee.
The Government plans to introduce the database regionally from late 2026, initially focusing on landlords and local councils. The database will bring together important information about rental properties, helping to improve transparency across the private rented sector.
Under the proposed requirements, landlords will be expected to provide information about themselves and each of their rental properties.
The Government has identified three main categories of information.
1. Landlord Contact Details
Landlords will need to provide their contact information, including relevant details for joint landlords where applicable.
2. Rental Property Information
Information expected to be required includes:
3. Property Safety and Energy Efficiency Information
Landlords will also be expected to provide information relating to:
These requirements remain subject to the relevant regulations and parliamentary approval.
Landlords will be required to pay an annual fee to register with the PRS Database.
However, the Government has not yet confirmed the annual registration fee in its implementation roadmap.
The amount will be announced closer to the database launch.
Yes. The Government plans to enable public access and data sharing after the initial landlord registration system has launched. This means public access will form part of a later stage of the database rollout rather than the initial registration stage.
The PRS Landlord Ombudsman will be a new redress service for tenants renting privately in England. Its purpose is to help resolve complaints when problems arise between tenants and landlords. The service will also support landlords by providing tools, guidance and training to help them manage tenant complaints effectively and resolve issues at an early stage.
Yes. Membership of the PRS Landlord Ombudsman will be compulsory for private rented sector landlords.
However, landlords will not be required to join immediately when the PRS Database begins rolling out. The Government has confirmed that the Ombudsman will be introduced after the database, with mandatory membership currently expected in 2028.
The Government expects mandatory landlord membership to begin in 2028, provided the Secretary of State is satisfied that the service is ready.
Implementation will take place in two stages.
Stage 1: Appointment of the Ombudsman Administrator
At least 12 to 18 months before implementation, the Secretary of State will select an administrator to operate the scheme. This will allow time for the service to develop and prepare to accept landlords.
Stage 2: Mandatory Landlord Membership
Once the scheme is ready, private landlords will be required to become members. The Government has confirmed that landlords will receive sufficient notice before membership becomes compulsory.
Landlords will be required to fund the Ombudsman through a fair and proportionate charging model. The Government has not yet confirmed the membership charges. Further details about the cost of joining the scheme will be provided closer to implementation. The Government is also exploring opportunities to share information between the PRS Database and Ombudsman to reduce the administrative burden on landlords.
Phase 2 of the Renters' Rights Act will introduce additional responsibilities for landlords operating in England's private rented sector.
The main changes include:
Although these requirements are outlined in the Government's roadmap, some operational details, including exact fees and registration deadlines, are still to be confirmed.
With the PRS Database scheduled to begin rolling out from late 2026, landlords can start preparing for the upcoming requirements. Practical preparation includes reviewing landlord contact information, checking property details and ensuring relevant gas, electrical and energy performance documentation is organised. Landlords should also monitor Government announcements for further information about database registration, annual fees and the Ombudsman membership timetable.
As the rollout will take place in stages, it is important to distinguish between requirements that have been confirmed and those awaiting further regulations.
Yes. The Government has confirmed that registration with the PRS Database will be mandatory for all private rented sector landlords. The database will begin rolling out regionally from late 2026.
The Government plans to begin the regional rollout of the PRS Database from late 2026. Exact registration dates for individual regions have not been specified in the implementation roadmap.
An annual registration fee will apply, but the Government has not yet confirmed the amount in its roadmap.
Yes. Private rented sector landlords will be required to join the PRS Landlord Ombudsman once mandatory membership is introduced.
Mandatory membership is expected in 2028, subject to the Secretary of State confirming that the service is ready.
Yes. The Government's roadmap sets out an annual PRS Database registration fee and a separate charging model to fund the Ombudsman. The amounts have not yet been confirmed.
The implementation roadmap discussed in this article applies to England.
Phase 2 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 will introduce significant changes for private landlords in England, particularly through the creation of the PRS Database and PRS Landlord Ombudsman.
The key dates for landlords to remember are late 2026 for the start of the database rollout and 2028 for expected mandatory Ombudsman membership.
While the Government has confirmed the overall direction of these reforms, further details about registration, fees and implementation dates are still expected. Landlords should familiarise themselves with the upcoming requirements and follow official Government updates to prepare for Phase 2.
Official Government Source
This article is based on the UK Government's Implementing the Renters' Rights Act 2025: Our Roadmap for Reforming the Private Rented Sector, published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Read the official GOV.UK implementation roadmap
The information reflects the Government's published implementation roadmap. Dates and detailed requirements may be updated as further regulations and guidance are introduced.
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