Phase 2 RRA - The Landlord Database

🏡If you let a property in Shotley Bridge, Consett or the wider County Durham area, there's an important date to be aware of. The Private Rented Sector Database is scheduled to begin rolling out on 15 December 2026.

The new registration process includes an annual fee and applies whether you manage the property yourself or use an agent. The good news is that there's time to prepare, and most of the information you'll need should already be in your property files.

📋 What is it?

The database is a national register of private landlords and the homes they let. You'll use a service called 'Register your rental property' to create an entry for yourself and each qualifying rental property. This includes existing tenancies as well as new ones.

📅 When do you need to register?

The rollout is regional and depends on where your rental property is located, rather than where you live. The West Midlands is first, with registration opening on 15 December 2026 and a registration window running until 14 March 2027. Each region has a three-month registration window. The Nort East of England is due to commence on 15th June 2027 and the deadline is 14 September 2027. According to the NRLA, landlords in other regions may also be able to register from 15 December if they prefer to get organised early.

💷 What will it cost?

The registration fee is £65 per property, per year. This is a flat amount for each property, regardless of its size. At launch, there is no bulk upload option, so landlords with multiple properties will need to add and pay for each property individually.

📄 What you will need to hand

It's worth having details such as the property address and type, ownership information, licensing details where applicable, number of occupants, rental amount and relevant property certificates ready. These may include your gas safety certificate, EPC and electrical safety report.

You'll also need a GOV.UK One Login to get started. Once registered, property information should be kept up to date, with most changes recorded within 28 days.

🤝 Can your agent do it for you?

Only partly. Letting agents will be able to help with information such as safety certificates and tenancy details, but landlords will need to begin and complete their own registration.

🔑 Why it matters

Keeping accurate property information in one place can make rental management more straightforward and help landlords stay organised.

The registration process also introduces responsibilities around maintaining accurate landlord and property records, so it's worth understanding what's involved before your regional window opens. Some additional measures connected with the database are expected to be introduced separately, rather than automatically when registration begins.

✔️ What should County Durham landlords do now?

The simplest starting point is a property paperwork review. Check that your certificates are current, your tenancy information is accurate and your important documents are easy to access.

If you own several rental properties across Shotley Bridge, Consett or the surrounding County Durham villages, consider organising your records by property so everything is ready when your registration window opens.

📞 Need help preparing your rental property records?

At Harrington Brown, we understand how important it is for local landlords to keep their rental properties and paperwork organised. If you let a property in Shotley Bridge, Consett or the wider County Durham area and would like help reviewing your tenancy records, property documents or management arrangements ahead of registration, our team is happy to help.

👉 Get in touch with Harrington Brown: https://www.harrington-brown.co.uk/contact/