The government’s Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database will function as a monitoring and enforcement tool for local authorities under the Renters’ Rights Act, according to a newly published policy paper.
The document outlines plans to collect, link and analyse data from landlords, tenants, agents, councils, tribunals and the future PRS Ombudsman to create a comprehensive oversight framework for the rental sector.
Mandatory council reporting
Local authorities are currently providing voluntary enforcement data to the government, including information on inspections, identified hazards and formal enforcement measures. This reporting will become mandatory as ministers work to establish a national picture of landlord compliance and behaviour.
The policy paper states that councils will be encouraged to “verify the information recorded on the Database and carry out enforcement action as appropriate”. The database will contain landlord contact details, property information, occupancy data and safety certification.
Data integration plans
Ministers are exploring the use of Unique Property Reference Numbers (UPRNs) to link properties, which would enable PRS Database information to be cross-referenced with wider housing datasets. This follows concerns that fragmented data systems increase costs for landlords across the sector.
The government will formally monitor tribunal activity, rent increase challenges and Ombudsman complaints to assess how landlords, tenants and agents respond to the reforms over time.
Penalties for non-compliance
Landlords who fail to register properties on the PRS Database face civil penalties of up to £7,000, with fines rising to £40,000 for submitting fraudulent information. The enforcement framework comes as landlords tighten tenant selection following new Act provisions.
The changes will be introduced gradually from late 2026, when registration on the database becomes mandatory. The full policy document is available on the government website.
The database represents a significant shift in regulatory oversight of the private rental sector, with local authorities gaining access to centralised data for enforcement purposes for the first time.
