A practical guide to the new rental property registration requirements in England, including the deadline for landlords in Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea and Eastbourne.
Landlords in England are preparing for another significant change under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025: the introduction of a national Landlord Database, officially delivered through the Government’s “Register your rental property” service.
The new system will require landlords to register themselves and their relevant rental properties, provide information about their properties and pay an annual registration fee. It will be introduced gradually across England, with different registration deadlines depending on where a property is located.
For landlords in Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea, Eastbourne and the wider South East, the key deadline is 14 June 2027. Although there is time to prepare, understanding the requirements now should make the process easier when registration opens.
Here are ten things landlords need to know, including what information to gather, how much registration will cost and what support a letting agent can provide.
1. What is the Landlord Database?
The Landlord Database is a new national registration system for private landlords and their rental properties in England. It forms part of the Renters’ Rights Act reforms and is intended to improve transparency and help local authorities identify and address poor standards in the private rented sector.
The service is officially called “Register your rental property” and will provide a central record of landlords and properties covered by the requirements.
For landlords, this means supplying information about themselves, their rental properties and relevant compliance matters. For local councils, it should provide a clearer picture of privately rented housing in their areas and support enforcement where necessary.
The Government also intends to make certain information available to tenants in a later stage of the rollout, helping them make more informed decisions about the properties they rent.
The important point is that this is not simply another voluntary landlord directory. For properties within its scope, registration will become a legal responsibility.
2. Will all landlords have to register?
Landlords of properties let under assured or regulated tenancies will generally need to register themselves and each relevant rental property.
This includes existing tenancies. If you already have a tenant living in your property, you should not assume that registration is only necessary when that tenant moves out or a new tenancy begins.
There are specific exemptions, including supported exempt accommodation as defined in the relevant legislation. Landlords with specialist tenancy or accommodation arrangements should check whether their properties fall within the registration requirements.
For a typical private landlord renting out a house or flat in Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea or Eastbourne under an assured tenancy, the sensible starting point is to prepare for registration.
If you own more than one rental property, you will need to consider the registration requirements for each property individually.
3. When does the Landlord Database launch?
The Government plans to begin rolling out the service on 15 December 2026, starting in the West Midlands.
Rather than requiring every landlord in England to register on the same day, the service will be introduced region by region. Each region will have a three-month registration window, allowing landlords time to complete the process.
This approach is particularly important if you own rental properties in different parts of the country. Your registration timetable is determined by where each property is located, not where you live.
For example, a landlord living in Eastbourne who also owns a rental property in the West Midlands will need to check the earlier West Midlands deadline for that property.
You should therefore treat the registration dates as property-specific rather than assuming one deadline applies to your entire portfolio.
4. What is the Landlord Database deadline for Sussex landlords?
For rental properties in the South East of England, registration requirements are scheduled to begin on 15 March 2027, with a deadline of 14 June 2027.
This includes landlords with properties in Oakfield’s principal areas:
- Hastings
- Bexhill-on-Sea
- Eastbourne
- Other parts of East Sussex covered by the South East regional timetable
Key dates for East Sussex landlords:
Registration opens: 15 March 2027
Registration deadline: 14 June 2027
These dates give landlords an opportunity to gather their records before the registration window opens. It is worth checking that contact details, ownership information, tenancy records and relevant safety documentation are readily available rather than leaving everything until the deadline approaches.
If you have several properties, preparing a separate record for each one can help avoid confusion when completing the registrations.
5. How much will Landlord Database registration cost?
The Government has confirmed an annual fee of £65 per rental property.
This is a property-based fee rather than a single fee covering all the properties owned by one landlord. Registration will also need to be renewed annually, making it an ongoing cost of letting property rather than a one-off administrative expense.
For illustration, the annual cost at the announced rate would be:
|
Number of rental properties |
Annual registration cost |
|
1 property |
£65 |
|
2 properties |
£130 |
|
3 properties |
£195 |
|
5 properties |
£325 |
|
10 properties |
£650 |
The Government has indicated that fees during the initial rollout will be adjusted proportionately, so landlords should check the amount payable when their registration window opens.
For landlords with several properties, it makes sense to include the registration fee in annual property management budgeting and to keep a record of renewal dates.
6. What information will landlords need to provide?
Registration will involve providing details about both the landlord and the rental property.
For an individual landlord, the information is expected to include their full name, date of birth, residential address and contact details. Property information will include matters such as the rental property’s address, ownership arrangements, number of bedrooms, occupancy and rent charged.
Depending on the property and ownership structure, additional information may be required. Landlords who own properties jointly or through a company should pay particular attention to the applicable requirements.
The online service will use GOV.UK One Login, although the Government has also confirmed that offline registration routes will be available for landlords who need them.
It is worth preparing this information in advance, particularly if your records are spread across different files, email accounts or property management systems.
My advice to landlords would be to start with the information you already have. Make sure your property details, tenancy records and contact information are up to date, and keep everything together so it’s easy to find. You don’t need to wait until registration opens to get organised, and doing that groundwork now should make the process much more straightforward.
7. Will landlords need to provide safety certificates?
The registration process will require relevant information about a property’s health, safety and energy performance.
Depending on the property and the applicable legal requirements, this may include:
- Gas safety records where the property has a relevant gas installation
- Electrical installation safety documentation
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) information
- Other property compliance information required by the registration service
Landlords should not view this as simply a paperwork exercise. The new database is intended to support better oversight of the private rented sector, and the information provided will need to be accurate.
If a certificate is approaching its renewal date, or you are unsure where a particular document is stored, now is a sensible time to review your records.
For landlords with fully managed properties, your letting agent may already hold many of the relevant documents. However, it remains important to understand which information will be required and who will be responsible for providing it.
8. Can my letting agent register my property for me?
Using a letting agent does not remove the landlord’s responsibility to register.
Under the Government’s published arrangements, landlords will need to initiate and complete their registration. Letting agents and property managers will be able to assist by providing certain information, with further operational guidance expected before launch.
This distinction matters for landlords who use a fully managed lettings service. Your agent may already organise safety checks, maintain tenancy records and hold much of the information needed for registration, but you should not assume the entire process will happen automatically without your involvement.
At Oakfield, we understand that landlords often choose professional management because they want support with the ongoing responsibilities of letting a property. The Landlord Database is another area where having organised property records and clear communication with your managing agent should prove valuable.
Even where a landlord has a fully managed property, there are still responsibilities that sit with them personally. What we can do as managing agents is help make sure the property information and compliance records are organised, explain what landlords need to be aware of and support them through changes like this. The important thing is that landlords know what they need to do and don’t assume registration will take care of itself.
9. Will empty rental properties need to be registered?
The initial registration requirements focus on properties that are already let or become occupied during the rollout period.
However, the Government intends to introduce further requirements at a later stage. These include registration of unoccupied rental properties before they are marketed for letting and the use of landlord and property registration identifiers in property advertisements.
This is an important distinction because the rules for the initial registration period should not be confused with requirements that are planned but not yet in force.
For landlords who are considering letting a currently empty property, or who regularly move between tenancies, it will be important to keep up with the additional guidance as it is published.
Landlords should also be aware that the future advertising requirements will affect how properties are marketed, making accurate registration details relevant to both landlords and letting agents.
10. What happens if a landlord misses the registration deadline?
Failing to register when legally required could result in enforcement action and financial penalties.
Once a region’s registration deadline has passed, local authorities will be able to take action where landlords have failed to comply with the relevant requirements.
The simplest way to reduce the risk of missing the deadline is to prepare early. Make a note of your regional registration window, check what information will be needed and allow enough time to resolve any missing or outdated records.
For landlords with multiple properties, a straightforward registration checklist can help keep track of which properties have been registered, when fees have been paid and when annual renewals are due.
How can landlords prepare for the new database now?
Although registration for South East landlords does not begin until March 2027, there are several practical steps you can take before then.
Start by reviewing your property records. Check that you have accurate addresses, ownership details, tenancy information and up-to-date contact details for each property.
Bring your compliance documentation together. Make sure you can easily access relevant gas safety, electrical safety and EPC records, and check whether any certificates or inspections need attention.
Check your registration timetable. If all your properties are in East Sussex, the South East dates will be particularly important. If you own properties elsewhere, check the regional deadline for each one.
Speak to your letting agent. If your property is managed, ask what information they already hold and how they expect to support landlords through the registration process once the final operational arrangements are available.
Plan for the ongoing cost. The annual fee and renewal requirement mean registration will become another regular part of managing a rental property.
Frequently asked questions about the Landlord Database
Is the Landlord Database compulsory?
Yes. Registration will be a legal requirement for landlords and rental properties covered by the scheme once the relevant regional requirements apply. Certain exemptions exist, so landlords with specialist arrangements should check the official guidance.
When must landlords in East Sussex register?
For properties in Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea, Eastbourne and the wider South East, registration is scheduled to open on 15 March 2027, with a deadline of 14 June 2027.
How much does registration cost?
The announced fee is £65 per property annually, with proportionate fees during the initial rollout. Landlords with multiple properties will need to budget for each property separately.
Do I need to register if I already have a tenant?
Yes, where the tenancy and property fall within the scheme. Registration is not limited to new tenancies; existing rented properties are also covered.
Will my letting agent handle registration?
Your letting agent may be able to assist with property information and records, but landlords remain responsible for completing the registration process under the published arrangements.
Is the Landlord Database the same as the Landlord Ombudsman?
No. They are separate reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act. The database is concerned with registering landlords and rental properties, while the planned Private Rented Sector Landlord Ombudsman will provide an independent route for resolving qualifying complaints.
Preparing for the Landlord Database with Oakfield
The new Landlord Database will add another ongoing responsibility for landlords in England. While the registration process is intended to be straightforward, it will still require accurate property information, relevant compliance records and attention to registration and renewal deadlines.
For landlords in Hastings, Bexhill-on-Sea and Eastbourne, the key dates are 15 March 2027, when South East registration is scheduled to begin, and 14 June 2027, the deadline for completing registration.
At Oakfield Estate Agents, we’ve been supporting landlords in East Sussex since 1996. Our lettings and property management teams help with marketing rental properties, tenant referencing, maintenance, safety checks and the ongoing responsibilities that come with being a landlord.
Whether you already have a fully managed property with Oakfield or you’re considering professional management for the first time, our team can help you understand your responsibilities and prepare for changes affecting the private rented sector.
If you’d like to discuss the Landlord Database or find out how our fully managed lettings service could support you, get in touch with your local Oakfield team.
Information reviewed against Government guidance available on 8 October 2026. Registration arrangements may be updated before the relevant regional launch. Landlords should check the latest official guidance before registering.