The government has announced a regional rollout of a national landlord registration service from December 2026, and plans to move initial rent increase decisions in England to HMRC's Valuation Office.
Key facts
- Who: Private landlords and letting agents in England, and tenants who want to challenge a rent increase.
- From: 15 December 2026 (registration service launches, starting in the West Midlands)
- Source: Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters, 9 September 2026
On 9 September 2026 the government announced the next phase of its Renters' Rights Act reforms: a national "Register your rental property" service and a new route for challenging rent increases.
Landlord registration
Landlords in each region of England will be gradually asked to sign up. Registration will be a legal requirement, and a landlord who does not complete it risks a fine.
The service launches on 15 December 2026 in the West Midlands, then moves to other areas over 12 months. When an area is called forward, landlords with properties there will have a three-month period to sign up. All landlords actively letting property will need to have registered by 14 November 2027.
At first, the requirement applies only to landlords with properties under let, or which become occupied, during the rollout. Under future legislation, as the public interface is rolled out, landlords will also be required to register any unoccupied properties before marketing them for let. Letting agents and landlords will need to include registration numbers on adverts.
The government says the service will give councils access to information to help them spot rogue landlords and take quicker action. In future, prospective landlords will also need to register, and tenants will be able to see whether their landlord or prospective landlord has signed up.
Challenging rent increases
HMRC's Valuation Office will become responsible for decisions on challenges to rent increases in England. The government says this should help resolve rent disputes more quickly and reduce pressure on the tribunal system.
While the government develops these reforms, renters who want to challenge a rent increase must still apply to the First-tier Tribunal. If they do, they will not have to pay the higher rent until the Tribunal has made its final decision.
What this means for tenants and landlords
Tenants: for now, challenging a rent increase still means applying to the First-tier Tribunal, and the higher rent does not have to be paid until the Tribunal has made its final decision. In future, tenants will be able to see whether a landlord or prospective landlord has registered.
Landlords and agents: registration is a legal requirement and risks a fine if not completed. Each region will be called forward in turn, with a three-month period to sign up, and landlords actively letting property need to have registered by 14 November 2027. Registration numbers will need to appear on adverts.
Sources
- Stronger protections and greater confidence for renters, GOV.UK, 9 September 2026