Landlord Database 2027: What St Albans Landlords Need to Do and When

This guide covers the law in England.

A new national landlord database is being introduced under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, and landlords across St Albans and Harpenden now have confirmed registration dates.

The good news is that there is time to prepare. For most landlords, the process will involve gathering information they should already hold about their rental property, tenancy and safety certificates.

Here is what you need to know, including the Hertfordshire deadlines, registration fees and practical steps to take before January 2027.

What is the new landlord database?

The government is introducing a national online registration service called 'Register your rental property'. It forms part of the second phase of the Renters' Rights Act reforms in England.

The database will bring together information about private landlords and their rental properties in one place.

Its purpose is to help landlords demonstrate compliance, give councils better information about privately rented homes and, eventually, help tenants make informed decisions.

Registration will be a legal requirement for landlords of qualifying privately rented properties, including those who own just one buy-to-let.

Landlord database: Important dates for St Albans and Hertfordshire

St Albans, Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Sandridge, London Colney and the surrounding Hertfordshire villages fall within the East of England rollout.

The registration deadline is determined by where your rental property is located, not where you live.

For example, a landlord living in London with a rental property in St Albans must follow the East of England deadline.

National registration rollout dates

The government has confirmed the following regional timetable:

All regions are scheduled to complete their initial registration periods by 14 November 2027.

Landlords can register properties before their region's official opening date once the national service is available.

See the official government registration guidance for the latest timetable.

Which landlords need to register?

The requirement applies to private landlords letting properties under assured or regulated tenancies in England.

This includes:

• Individual landlords with one or more rental properties.
• Joint landlords, including couples who own rental properties together.
• Landlords operating through limited companies.
• Landlords who use a letting or managing agent.
• Landlords who live overseas but let qualifying properties in England.

If a property has joint landlords, each landlord must register individually. One landlord then registers the property and invites the others to join its record.

What about empty rental properties?

During the initial rollout, registration is required for qualifying properties already let or which become let during the rollout period.

A property that remains empty throughout this period does not initially need registering simply because it is available to rent.

Some specialist accommodation is exempt, including qualifying supported exempt accommodation. Landlords with unusual tenancy arrangements should check the official guidance.

How much will the landlord database cost?

The government has confirmed an annual registration fee of £65 per property. The fee is not subject to VAT.

There is no separate charge for registering yourself as a landlord or updating your records.

For illustration, the normal annual cost would be:

There is a useful concession during the initial rollout. The government will reduce the first registration charge to exclude days before 15 November 2027.

This means Hertfordshire landlords registering during their January to April 2027 window will initially pay less than the full annual amount.

Registrations must then be renewed annually. The government also states that the service fee is tax-deductible, although landlords should check the treatment with their accountant.

What information should landlords prepare?

Our recommendation is to prepare a simple digital folder for each rental property before registration opens.

Gather the following information:

1. Landlord details

• Full name and contact information.
• Residential or registered business address.
• Details of any joint landlords.
• Company information, where applicable.

2. Property and tenancy details

• Full rental property address.
• Property type and number of bedrooms.
• Number of occupants and households.
• Whether the property is furnished or unfurnished.
• Current rent and payment frequency.
• Details of any managing agent, superior landlord or freeholder.
• Relevant property licence details, where applicable.

3. Safety and compliance documents

• Gas safety record, where the property has gas.
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or relevant electrical certificate.
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), where applicable.
• Any relevant energy efficiency exemption information.

The government allows certain outstanding property information to be supplied within 28 days of the initial registration. However, missing that deadline can result in the registration becoming inactive.

How do landlords register?

The process will be completed through the government's online service, using GOV.UK One Login. A paper-based option will also be available for landlords who cannot use the online service.

When registration is available, the basic steps will be:

1. Create or access your GOV.UK One Login.
2. Register yourself or your organisation as a landlord.
3. Add each qualifying rental property.
4. Pay the applicable property registration fee.
5. Receive your property registration number.
6. Complete the remaining tenancy and compliance information within the required timeframe.

Once registered, landlords must update information that changes or expires within 28 days. This includes changes to occupancy, rent and relevant safety certificates.

Can your letting agent register the property for you?

Letting agents can assist, but the government has made an important distinction between the landlord's responsibilities and the agent's role.

The landlord must start the registration and pay the government fee.

Once the property is registered, the landlord can authorise their letting agent to provide certain tenancy and compliance information.

This may include rental amounts, occupancy details, property licences and safety certificates.

The landlord remains legally responsible for ensuring the registration is complete, accurate and kept up to date.

For landlords who already use a managing agent, having property records and compliance documents organised should make this process considerably easier.

What happens if a landlord misses the deadline?

The new rules include enforcement powers for local authorities. Failing to register can result in financial penalties of up to £7,000.

More serious breaches, including certain repeated offences or knowingly providing false information, can attract penalties of up to £40,000.

These are maximum penalties, not automatic charges for every mistake.

The simplest way to avoid problems is to register within your regional window, provide accurate information and keep your records updated.

What should St Albans landlords do now?

With registration opening in January 2027, there are a few sensible steps worth taking before the end of this year.

1. Put 14 April 2027 in your diary. This is the East of England registration deadline.
2. Check who needs to register. Make sure all joint landlords are aware of their responsibilities.
3. Review your certificates. Confirm that gas, electrical and EPC records are available and up to date where required.
4. Check your tenancy information. Make sure rent, occupancy and property details are accurate.
5. Speak to your managing agent. Agree who will provide the supporting property information once registration begins.
6. Plan for annual renewal. Add the government fee and future renewal date to your property administration records.

If you own properties in different regions, check each property's deadline separately.

How Attewell Hardwicke & Leahy can help

At Attewell Hardwicke & Leahy, we specialise exclusively in residential lettings across St Albans, Harpenden and the surrounding villages.

We understand that many landlords have one or two properties and would rather spend their time on other things than keeping track of changing regulations.

Our Fully Managed service includes ongoing tracking of gas, electrical, EPC and alarm compliance, helping landlords maintain the records needed for their rental properties.

We also help landlords with the National Landlord Database requirements, including the supporting information that managing agents are permitted to provide.

If you currently manage your property yourself, or are considering switching from another letting agent, we can explain how our management service works without requiring you to end an existing tenancy.

The landlord database is another step towards more consistent standards across the private rented sector. With the right information prepared in advance, registration should be a manageable task rather than a last-minute rush.

Common questions

Correct at 5 November 2026. This post is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, so please check your own situation or ask us.