The UK government has announced the introduction of a new landlord registration service across England, set to launch on December 15, 2026, beginning with the West Midlands. This initiative is part of wider efforts to support private renters and improve the rental market. Tenants will be able to verify whether their landlord or a potential landlord has registered, offering reassurance that the landlord is legitimate and following the rules. The government says the service will give local councils access to information, enabling them to more easily identify and act against rogue landlords. At first, the registration requirement will apply only to landlords with properties currently being rented or that become occupied during the rollout period. Future legislation may require landlords to register any unoccupied properties before advertising them for rent. Additionally, letting agents and landlords will need to include registration numbers in their advertisements, helping to ensure transparency. The Valuation Office Agency, which is part of HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), will be responsible for making initial decisions on disputes over rent increases in England. This is intended to speed up the resolution of such disputes. However, until the new system is fully in place, renters who wish to challenge rent increases will still need to apply to the First-tier Tribunal. Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said that shifting the responsibility for initial rent decisions to HMRC’s Valuation Office will help resolve disputes faster, reducing the burden on the tribunal system. He added that the new landlord registration service is a significant first step in creating an innovative database of private rented properties, which will empower tenants, support responsible landlords, and assist councils in enforcing the Renters’ Rights Act. Mairi MacRae, director of policy and campaigns at Shelter, said the database could increase safety and security in private renting by exposing unscrupulous landlords. She emphasized that for the database to be truly effective, it must be publicly accessible to renters as soon as possible, including details of past rent charges at each property, to help renters challenge unfair rent increases. The rollout dates for the registration service are as follows, with the start date of the registration window followed by the deadline to register: - West Midlands: December 15, 2026, March 14, 2027 - East of England: January 15, 2027, April 14, 2027 - East Midlands: February 15, 2027, May 14, 2027 - South East: March 15, 2027, June 14, 2027 - Yorkshire and the Humber: April 15, 2027, July 14, 2027 - North West: May 15, 2027, August 14, 2027 - North East: June 15, 2027, September 14, 2027 - London: July 15, 2027, October 14, 2027 - South West: August 15, 2027, November 14, 2027