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Landlords’ information on PRS Database to remain private until 2027
9:49 AM, 4th November 2026, 4 days ago
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The government has confirmed that landlords’ information submitted to the PRS Database will not be publicly available before 2027.
In answer to a written parliamentary question, housing minister Matthew Pennycook claims information on the PRS Database will be proportionate for landlords.
The news comes as the government has published guidance setting out how landlords must register with the PRS Database.
Balance the benefits of transparency with landlords’ privacy rights
In a written question, Conservative MP Mark Garnier asked: “Whether the government plans to make the residential addresses of landlords not publicly accessible on the PRS Database”.
In response, Mr Pennycook said: “Information submitted to the ‘Register your rental property’ service will not be publicly visible before winter 2027.
“Future legislation will set out which landlord and property records will be publicly accessible at the point the public-facing service is launched at a later date.
“Following this, tenants will be able to access certain necessary and proportionate information about landlords and rental properties, to help them better understand whether key legal requirements are being met.
“In considering which information should be published, the government will carefully balance the benefits of transparency with landlords’ privacy rights, safety concerns, and data protection requirements.”
Lack of an audit trail
As previously reported by Property118, MPs have raised concerns over landlords’ privacy rights in relation to the PRS Database, with Conservative housing spokesman Gareth Bacon questioning how landlords would be able to check records across their portfolios and establish what had been changed.
He said: “Then there is the lack of an audit trail.
“Because of the system favoured by the government, landlords have no ability to verify and validate data on a portfolio basis.”
He added: “They have no access controls nor an audit trail for data uploads, changes or deletions.”
Mr Bacon warned that these alleged shortcomings could lead to administrative errors, potential fines and wider compliance risks.
In his response, Mr Pennycook did not directly address the concerns over the lack of an audit trail, although he outlined plans for organisations to add employees to their accounts and the possibility of linking the database with property management systems.
The latest guidance confirms that organisation team members will be able to register and update properties. However, it remains unclear whether landlords will have access to a record of changes showing who amended, uploaded or deleted information.
35 comments on this article
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Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 984
10:18 AM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
That’s not exactly helpful as 2027 is when we are adding the data!
Member Since April 2018 - Comments: 703
10:58 AM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
So yes all your information on the database will be publicly available as many have already suggested.
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 114
11:08 AM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
But that’s only 3 months away, and the Ministry of Housing is still to decide what it’s going to publish? When are we going to be told the truth and shown what the database(s) are going to include and look like, and who will be able to access them?
Total chaos, with too many agendas and objectives – too many cooks involved in this project???
Member Since November 2017 - Comments: 275
11:20 AM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
I suspect the reason they are being so evasive is they are getting concerned that they may breach the data protection act.
Member Since April 2020 - Comments: 135
11:46 AM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Tim Rogers at 04/11/2026 – 11:20
Why when we and everyone else have to comply with legislative procedures attaching to data privacy is it swept aside in this way when it comes to our data, although perhaps the answer to that is already well known, we are all criminals having to prove we are not guilty of something at least thats how I feel, they make up another set of rules for not so’ private’ landlords, no data protection, 4% more tax than anyone else in the land I wonder whats next, thats if there are any of us left time to go.
Member Since April 2020 - Comments: 135
11:58 AM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
and if the additional tax is, as they said, because we do not pay NI well neither does anyone else on their investments especially if past retirement age because, after all, we are not running a business, are we, because if we were we could set off our finance interest.
Member Since January 2024 - Comments: 456
12:01 PM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
So we provide our data now, with no idea how it will be used!
I assume that there will of course be no way for us to opt out once we know the government’s intent.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1656 - Articles: 1
12:14 PM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
8 weeks and 1 day away then.
Landlords should be refusing under Art 8 HRA and Art 8 ECHN to complete and submit the information.
Member Since February 2024 - Comments: 114
12:27 PM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 04/11/2026 – 12:14
Agreed,,,,, how can we co -operate when we donn’t know what will be shown.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 766
1:21 PM, 4th November 2026, About 4 days ago
Pennycook is supremely disingenuous and he just spouts whatever’s necessary to get by, irrespective of facts – which invariably he doesn’t have or will conveniently ignore. He’s been an excellent government puppet successfully overseeing the massively unpopular and foolish legislation that is the RRA. He cannot be believed or trusted.