Government claims PRS Database will crack down on subletting
2 months ago | 8 comments
Government confirms councils will use PRS database for landlord enforcement
9:47 AM, 27th May 2026, 2 days ago
27
Categories:
The government has confirmed it is working with councils to support the use of information from the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database in carrying out enforcement action against landlords.
In response to a parliamentary written question, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said the database will collect a range of information as part of the Renters’ Rights Act.
As previously reported by Property118, the government says the PRS Database fee will be “fair and proportionate”, and has hinted at combining the registration process for the PRS Database and the Ombudsman, but has not confirmed whether landlords will need to pay separate fees for each.
Carry out enforcement action
Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town asked: “To ask the government whether, as the Private Rented Sector Database introduced in the Renters’ Rights Act is rolled out regionally, provision has been made for inspections to take place to verify the information provided by landlords.”
Under the act, all landlords will need to sign up for the database, which will include information about their properties that tenants can access.
In response, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage said: “We are working closely with local councils to support them in using the information that will be provided by the Private Rented Sector Database in their enforcement activities.
“Through guidance, we will encourage local councils to verify the information recorded on the Database and carry out enforcement action as appropriate during the regional rollout.
“The Database will collect a range of information which will be confirmed through secondary legislation. We are continuing to explore which key performance indicators will help us to assess whether the Database is meeting its objectives.”
Landlords could face a fine
According to the government’s Renters’ Rights Act roadmap, the PRS Database will include, at a minimum:
- landlord contact details, including information covering joint landlords
- property details, including full address, property type (flat or house), number of bedrooms, number of households or residents, and whether the property is occupied or furnished
- safety information, including gas, electricity and Energy Performance Certificates, to help ensure tenants are aware of property safety and energy efficiency standards
Councils will also gain the power to take enforcement action against landlords who fail to register on the PRS Database.
If a landlord lets or advertises a property without it first being registered on the database, they can be issued with a civil penalty of up to £7,000 or a £40,000 fine if they provide fraudulent information to the database.
Tags:
Enforcement Action Against Landlords, government, landlord fines, PRS database, Renters’ Rights Act
Comments
Have Your Say
Every day, landlords who want to influence policy and share real-world experience add their voice here. Your perspective helps keep the debate balanced.
Not a member yet? Join In Seconds
Login with
or
Related Articles
PRS Database to ease administrative burden claims government
2 months ago | 10 comments
Landlord compliance high as rogue database shows few entries
2 months ago | 7 comments
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 269
2:43 PM, 28th May 2026, About 1 day ago
In my naivety I was hoping NRLA would provide a service to its members and ask members to supply the current rent and details of each property that is relevant.
So we have a meaningful database to refer to when we need the current rent ceiling of similar properties in same post code.
This would help us in requesting all rent increases and provide real data should any rent increase is challenged.
I don’t have the time to monitor this information which every property every year might require.
A sensible fee could be charged by NRLA SAY £10 per request.
That said I am asking my tenants if they might like to buy the property they are living in.
2 have shown a very positive interest and tomorrow I am meeting the founder of Behomed, to see if they can assist me.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2103
2:46 PM, 28th May 2026, About 1 day ago
Reply to the comment left by JeggNegg at 28/05/2026 – 14:43
I think that any requirement to record actual rent paid (e.g. on a landlord database) as well as being very difficult to validate, would be as likely to become a stick to beat landlords with as to be of any real benefit.
Member Since September 2021 - Comments: 1
3:15 AM, 29th May 2026, About 16 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Pete England – PaTMa Property Management at 12:07
It’s to make enforcement unavoidable and simple – EPC out by a few months (that no tenant ever cares about), EICR out by a few weeks… Kerching . All the renewal dates for everything are fed in, so a quick database sweep gives the hard cash-strapped councils a gold plated money belt from landlords- nothing simpler
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 269
8:24 AM, 29th May 2026, About 11 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Beaver at 28/05/2026 – 14:46
I do not disagree with you Beaver
But
Please can you tell me what evidence/ data you are going to use to base your annual rent increases on going forwards, and be able to defend the increase in any challenge at tribunal. As I understand an RPI increase has been thrown out.
More importantly what data is the tribunal going forward to use!
If I invest £12000 on solar panels, batteries and an EV charger can I increase the rent at the next review date?
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2103
10:11 AM, 29th May 2026, About 9 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by JeggNegg at 29/05/2026 – 08:24
I use an agent so I’m going to rely on what the agent tells me…unless the agent doesn’t tell me that I should increase the rent, in which case I will check what’s being advertised locally.
I think the question on solar panels is a bit more complicated.
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 417
11:22 AM, 29th May 2026, About 8 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by JeggNegg at 29/05/2026 – 08:24
I am not clear why so many are worried about this and making such a big deal about it.Base the rent increase the same way mortgage companies value property values (estate agent valuations) plus add in 6 months projected value to cover the cost of court delays. The Court will decide what they want and shaft you anyway.
How will you ever recoup the £12k plus on solar panels just with rent increase which would be better spent on a new kitchen/bathroom, which tenants will pay extra rent for.
Member Since May 2018 - Comments: 2103
11:34 AM, 29th May 2026, About 7 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by David at 29/05/2026 – 11:22
I don’t think JeggNegg is asking a stupid question here, it’s just that the answer on solar panels is really complicated. Depending upon where you are in the country some tenants may want them and may want to pay for them. I think the best properties are going to be those properties with access to the gas network, so that they can burn gas as normal when gas prices are low, but also with photovoltaics so that the tenants are not vulnerable to energy price spikes. But not all tenants will be able or willing to pay for that.
And because the answer to “is it worth it” also depends upon tax it’s actually a really complicated question.