Tenants get new platform to complain about landlords
1 year ago | 17 comments
Minister suggests combining registration for Database and Ombudsman but dodges fees
12:01 AM, 22nd July 2025, 9 months ago
9
The government has hinted at combining the registration process for the PRS database and Ombudsman, but stays silent on whether landlords will have to pay multiple fees for signing up.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has revealed that the government is exploring options to align the registration process for the PRS Database and PRS Ombudsman, but stopped short of confirming whether landlords will be required to pay separate fees for each scheme.
Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, all landlords will need to sign up for the database, which will include information about their properties that tenants can access.
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.
The government claim the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman will provide quick, fair, impartial and binding resolution for tenants’ complaints about their landlord.
Exploring options for administrative alignment where possible
In a written question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake asked: “Whether private sector landlords will be required to pay multiple fees to register under (a) selective licensing introduced by local authorities, (b) the Private Rented Sector Database and (c) to be regulated under landlord redress schemes; and what assessment the government has made of the potential merits of consolidating those fees.”
In response, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said the government would structure fees according to existing legislation and suggested that registration for the PRS Ombudsman and the PRS Database may be combined.
He said: “Selective licensing schemes introduced by local authorities, the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, and the PRS Ombudsman are separate regimes and fees will be structured and set according to the relevant legislation.
“My Department is exploring options for administrative alignment where possible; for example, aligning the registration process for the Ombudsman and Database.
“We will provide guidance which will make clear what landlords need to do to meet their new responsibilities.”
However, Mr Pennycook did not confirm whether landlords will face separate charges for each scheme.
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Member Since July 2025 - Comments: 1
7:05 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
How about a tenant database especially of all who have been evicted through proper court process and they start absconding just before the baliff and dodge the CCJ?
Member Since December 2023 - Comments: 1582
8:44 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
It will probably be around £500 per property with an annual fee.
Rents will rise. 99% of tenants will get no benefit whatsoever.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3525 - Articles: 5
9:59 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
“We will provide guidance which will make clear what landlords need to do to meet their new responsibilities.”
by return, I will be providing guidance to my tenants which will make clear the direct effect this will have on their rents…
A link to their MP will be attached in any communication sent…
Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 781
11:13 AM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Does anyone know yet if Section 8 court costs can be reclaimed from the tenant?
Member Since March 2022 - Comments: 365
1:27 PM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
What about existing rented property? If the regulations are going to apply to existing landlords how will they be traced? I am not sure that a coherent database of current landlords exists. There are HMRC records but they won’t find everyone . Of course, the rogues that this legislation is supposed to eliminate will not comply. Maybe all new tenancy agreements will need a landlord registration code to be legal or possibly you will not be able to start court proceedings without one. In any event rogues don’t bother overmuch with tenancy agreements and don’t use the courts to evict they just send the boys round or threaten to inform the immigration authorities.
Member Since July 2023 - Comments: 179
2:16 PM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Sumeet Rawal at 22/07/2025 – 07:05
Whilst currently a ‘breach of privacy’ human rights et al.
I think this will become one of the’ unintended consequences’ of this legislation.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3525 - Articles: 5
3:20 PM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Paul Essex at 22/07/2025 – 11:13
ALL possession costs can be claimed from the tenant.
Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3525 - Articles: 5
3:22 PM, 22nd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Sumeet Rawal at 22/07/2025 – 07:05
MCOL while still at the property?
Member Since May 2015 - Comments: 2197 - Articles: 2
9:24 AM, 23rd July 2025, About 9 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Reluctant Landlord at 22/07/2025 – 15:22
MCOL can be used at any time, the rules are that the paperwork must be served at the last known address, which would obviously be the rental property.