Landlords must stay signed up to Ombudsman as scheme set to become mandatory
5 months ago | 23 comments
Government promises to address landlord privacy concerns amid PRS database rollout
8:01 AM, 8th December 2025, 5 months ago
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The government claim they “will try to balance landlords’ privacy concerns with private tenants’ needs to make informed decisions” for the Private Rented Sector (PRS) database.
Many landlords are concerned about what details will be included in the PRS database, which is set to roll out in late 2026.
The government claim they are still determining the exact information that will go on the database, but this could include gas safety certificates.
Will include landlord’s contact details
According to the government’s Renters’ Rights Act roadmap, the PRS database will include, at a minimum:
- The landlord’s contact details. This will include capturing relevant information from all joint landlords.
- The property details including the full address, type of property (flat/ house), number of bedrooms, number of households/residents and confirming whether the property is occupied and furnished, etc.
- Safety information – Gas, Electric and Energy Performance Certificates – so tenants are assured about the safety and energy efficiency of the property.
The government guidance says the PRS Database will replace the functionality of the Database of Rogue Landlords for private sector landlords.
The guidance says: “We will make certain details relating to offences viewable to tenants and prospective tenants. Opening up this information will ensure tenants can make a more informed rental decision, leading to a better rental experience.
“However, we are committed to carefully balancing landlords’ privacy concerns with private tenants’ need to make informed decisions about their housing options when designing a new system. Tenants will be able to access necessary information in relation to their landlord and details of the property, but we do not envisage that all data will be publicly accessible.”
Landlords could face £7,000 fine
The government guidance says it will be mandatory for all landlords and their properties to sign up to the online database.
However, the government has confirmed that for those who are unable to register online, alternative offline methods will be offered, though the exact process has not yet been specified.
Landlords should also know that if they fail to register on the PRS Database, they will not be able to obtain a possession order, except if the ground under which possession is sought is ground 7A or ground 14 (tenant anti-social behaviour).
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.
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.
Tags:
landlord privacy, Landlord Registration, Private Rented Sector, PRS database, Renters’ Rights Act
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Member Since May 2023 - Comments: 4
2:39 PM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Why is there no central database of rogue tenants, such as those who consistently fail to pay rent on time or leave properties without settling outstanding rent, so that landlords can also make more informed decisions?
Why are landlord groups not asking for a similar tenants database?
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 145
3:05 PM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Or who.trash the place? We obtained a high court order for posseasion against a residential tenant who was so addled with drugs that she didnt take her dog out to poop. As my colleague put it, youd want to wipe your feet on exiting it rather than entering it. Including costs of possession, rent arrears and damage caused the losses werw around forty thousand pounds.
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2203 - Articles: 2
3:16 PM, 15th December 2025, About 4 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Contango at 15/12/2025 – 15:05
Makes the fines look quite reasonable !!!!!
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 6
12:03 PM, 19th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by David at 08/12/2025 – 17:48
I do hope so. It’s very worrying.
Member Since January 2023 - Comments: 145
12:17 PM, 19th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Carol Wilson at 08/12/2025 – 13:38
hopefully you would be able to redact by blacking out those details in the box for owner
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
12:22 PM, 19th March 2026, About 1 month ago
so a live database where it is possible for anyone to know what property is a rental as opposed to home owned. Perfect for those (none tenants) looking to use the address for illegal means without any knowledge of the property owner/landlord.
It sticks a red flag on the property for everyone to see and makes it clear that any occupants are tenants. Tenants are now at risk of doorstep cold calling/scams from anyone who can see the details about the property. If the tenants are elderly/vulnerable? Privacy issues for tenant and LL alike.
I wonder if the tenants once in the property can ask for the property info to be removed/hidden from the public database view on this basis?
The info may be useful to the prospective tenant initially, but once they move in what is the point of the info being there for anyone else to see after this point? There is no need for this to be open to the public UNTIL the property is to be relet.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
12:31 PM, 19th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Basit Ghafoor at 14:39
always do a money claim on line for the min amount of £300 while the tenant is still in the property identified as rent arrears. If they do not pay then its another £25 for a judgement by default. A CCJ is issued and stuck on their record for 6 years.
A LL can legitimately refuse a tenant with a CCJ after 1st May – ergo the tenant will be shafted. No good LL will be taking them on and of course it stuffs up their chances of even getting a mobile phone contract/tv package/catalogue stuff. In some cases the local council will check too if they approach them for social housing and refuse.
In essence if they want housing, only the ‘rogue’ LL’s will take them on….those properties with no licence, damp mound etc. Probably cost more too. They wont have a choice. These landlords don’t stand for rent arrears either. They have friends called ‘Bob’ that will assist their swift departure….
The CCJ register is the ultimate rogue tenant database because you can list what the dept is for. rent arrears, damages etc…
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 374
12:32 PM, 19th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Wasn’t thought through like most of what this government does.I can’t even give a meter reading to an electricity company because they scream data protection.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3538 - Articles: 5
12:38 PM, 19th March 2026, About 1 month ago
just thinking out loud. Perhaps the address the LL has to register can actually be the rental property itself. A separate external post box at the property address so only the LL can access? That gets out of using the LL personal home address.
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 6
12:51 PM, 19th March 2026, About 1 month ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 19/03/2026 – 12:38
Yes I wonder if that would work?