Landlords who let a flat must join the new rental register from December: what blocks need to know
The government has published guidance on the Renters' Rights Act register. Landlords in England must register each let property by their region's deadline, starting with the West Midlands on 15 December 2026, at £65 a year, and give contact details for the managing agent and freeholder.
What happened
On 29 October 2026 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government published guidance for the “Register your rental property” service, which the Renters’ Rights Act requires. It says private landlords must register themselves and every privately let property in England that is occupied by tenants on an assured or regulated tenancy.
Registration opens region by region, each with a three-month window:
| Region | Start | End |
|---|---|---|
| West Midlands | 15 December 2026 | 14 March 2027 |
| East of England | 15 January 2027 | 14 April 2027 |
| East Midlands | 15 February 2027 | 14 May 2027 |
| South East | 15 March 2027 | 14 June 2027 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 15 April 2027 | 14 July 2027 |
| North West | 15 May 2027 | 14 August 2027 |
| North East | 15 June 2027 | 14 September 2027 |
| London | 15 July 2027 | 14 October 2027 |
| South West | 15 August 2027 | 14 November 2027 |
The annual fee is £65 per property, with no VAT, reduced during the roll-out so that nobody pays for days before 15 November 2027. The guidance gives the example of a landlord registering on 15 December 2026 paying £5.34 for the first year. Penalties can reach £7,000 for failing to register and £40,000 for knowingly or recklessly giving false or misleading information. From 15 December 2026 tenants can seek rent repayment orders for some breaches, once their area’s window has opened.
What it means for your building
Most blocks have some flats that are let. Each of those leaseholders is a landlord who will need to register. Two parts of the guidance reach the block itself:
- Contact details. To register a property the landlord gives “contact details for any managing agents, superior landlords and freeholders”. So leaseholders who let may ask the company, or its agent, which name and address to give.
- Safety evidence. The landlord must provide evidence of the gas safety certificate (where there is gas), the electrical safety certificate and the Energy Performance Certificate within 28 days, and keep them up to date.
Joint owners of a flat each have to register as joint landlords. A company that lets a flat it owns, such as a caretaker’s flat let on an assured tenancy, registers as an organisation landlord.
What to do now
- Directors: agree which name and correspondence address leaseholders should give for the freeholder or management company, and put it in your next newsletter.
- Leaseholders who let: check your region’s window, and gather your gas safety, electrical safety and EPC certificates now.
- If your lease requires you to tell the company about lettings, do so; the register does not replace that.
This is general information about the government’s guidance, not legal advice. Check the guidance for your own situation.
How Freeholdpilot helps
Freeholdpilot’s directors’ portal keeps the block’s documents in one drive and puts dates on a compliance calendar, so the board can record the contact details it has agreed and see the registration window for its region.
Questions
I own a flat and let it out. Do I have to register?
You may. The guidance says private landlords renting out a property in England occupied by tenants on an assured or regulated tenancy must register themselves and the property. Check the guidance for exceptions.
When is the deadline for my area?
It depends on the region. The roll-out runs from 15 December 2026 (West Midlands) to 14 November 2027 (South West ends). For example, the South East period is 15 March to 14 June 2027 and London is 15 July to 14 October 2027.
Why would a landlord ask our company for details?
When registering a property, the landlord has to give contact details for any managing agents, superior landlords and freeholders. For a flat, that may be your freehold, RTM or management company or its agent.
Does this apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland?
No. This register is for properties in England. Wales has Rent Smart Wales, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own landlord registration.
Sources
This is general information about the law in England and Wales unless it says otherwise, not legal advice for your building. For advice, speak to a solicitor or ask us to introduce one of our partner firms.
