We appreciate that you have had to deal with a considerable amount of change in recent years, with increasing legislation, compliance requirements and additional costs.
We fully understand that yet more changes are probably the last thing you want to hear about but hopefully with my regular updates you are more informed than many landlords!
STAGE 2 OF THE RRA IS THE LANDLORD REGISTER
The Government has recently published guidance on its new Register Your Rental Property service, which will introduce further obligations for landlords across England.
We have summarised the key points below, including what you will need to do, the relevant deadlines and how we may be able to assist.
When Will Registration Be Required?
The new registration service will be introduced gradually across England, beginning in December 2026.
For landlords with properties in Brighton, Hove and the wider South East, the important dates are:
Registration Opens: 15 March 2027
Registration Deadline: 14 June 2027
Further requirements will be introduced in the future, including the registration of unoccupied properties before they can be marketed for letting.
What Will Landlords Need to Do?
Landlords will be legally responsible for registering themselves and their rental properties through the Government’s online service – we cannot do this for you!
The registration process will require information relating to the landlord, the property and its management arrangements.
There will also be a requirement to provide relevant information including:
- Current tenancy and rental details.
- Gas Safety Certificates, where applicable.
- Electrical safety documentation.
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
- HMO, selective or additional licensing information, where applicable.
What Will It Cost?
The Government has confirmed an annual registration fee of £65 per rental property, which is not subject to VAT.
Initial registration fees will be adjusted during the phased rollout, with the full annual fee applying subsequently.
This is a Government charge and is separate from any letting or property management fees.
How Can Town & Country Assist?
We appreciate that the increasing number of legislative and compliance requirements can place additional demands on landlords.
The Government has confirmed that managing agents will be able to assist landlords by submitting certain tenancy and property compliance information once the landlord has initiated the registration process and granted access.
We are currently reviewing the Government’s guidance and considering how best to incorporate these requirements into our existing property management procedures.
Our intention is to make the process as straightforward as possible for our clients, particularly where we already hold the relevant tenancy and compliance information.
We will provide further guidance on the support we can offer, together with any associated administration charges, once our procedures have been finalised.
Ongoing Responsibilities
Registration will not simply be a one-off exercise.
The Government has confirmed that relevant information must be updated within 28 days of a change, including changes to tenancy details, rental amounts or replacement compliance certificates.
It will therefore be important that records are maintained accurately throughout the tenancy. Failure to comply with registration requirements could result in financial penalties, making it essential that landlords understand their obligations.
What Happens Next?
At this stage, there is no immediate action required for you, our clients. However, we would encourage you all to familiarise themselves with the forthcoming changes.
Town & Country will continue monitoring developments and will provide further updates as the registration period approaches.
You can read the Government’s official guidance here:
Register Your Rental Property – Government Guidance for Landlords.
As always, our priority is to ensure that our clients remain informed, their properties remain compliant and the management of their investments is as straightforward as possible.
Kind regards,
Stephen Chipp
Director
