PRS Database rollout starts in West Midlands in December

A new requirement for landlords in England to register on the PRS Database is due to begin rolling out regionally, starting in the West Midlands in December. Landlords will need to provide property details, including address, number of residents and bedrooms, along with copies of gas, electricity and EPC documents.

The annual fee is reported as £65 per property.

Software company Veco has raised concerns about the scheme. Its CEO, Richard Murray, has argued that compliant landlords and agents will bear the cost and administrative burden, while landlords operating outside the rules may simply not register at all. He has also questioned whether councils will have the capacity and the will to find and pursue landlords who do not register.

The NRLA has also criticised the database's design and cost. Chief executive Ben Beadle has argued it will be a costly system that largely duplicates information landlords already give their councils, without clear added benefit for landlords or tenants.

This applies to England.

Landlords with property in England will need to register as the rollout reaches their area, whether they manage the property themselves or use an agent. The West Midlands is named as the first region to go live in December.

• Check whether your property falls in the first rollout area (West Midlands) or will be covered later.
• Start gathering the documents you'll likely need to upload: gas safety certificate, EICR, and EPC.
• Budget for the £65 annual fee per property.
• Check with a solicitor or accountant if you're unsure how the registration requirement applies to your portfolio or management arrangement.