Summary
The new PRS database will require landlords in England to register their properties and provide tenancy, ownership and safety information. Bridging and specialist lenders should consider how registration status and compliance gaps could affect property due diligence and underwriting.
NACFB Partner Blacks has published a guide to the new Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, which makes registration mandatory for private landlords in England under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It covers who must register, what information is required and the regional rollout timetable.
Key points: - the rollout starts in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026 - there is a £65 per-property annual fee - all eligible properties in England must be registered by 14 November 2027 - councils can impose civil penalties of up to £7,000, rising to £40,000 or prosecution for offences - letting agents cannot market or manage properties for unregistered landlords, and responsibility stays with the landlord even when an agent is used.
For bridging and development lenders, this affects both underwriting and exit. Where a loan relies on letting, or on refinancing onto buy-to-let, non-registration could delay lettings, attract penalties and weaken the exit. Lenders may want to add registration status to due diligence, borrower conditions and monitoring for rental and refurb-to-let cases.
Brokers can add value by flagging the requirement early to landlord clients ahead of their regional deadline.
Source
This post is Vector Finsoft's analysis. Read the original for the full details.
- Blacks Solicitors LLP.(opens in a new tab)lawblacks.com