Landlords in England are being asked to help test the new PRS Database, which is being introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act later this year.

Volunteers need to register on the database as part of the government’s private beta phase testing and then provide feedback on their experience. Some testing has already involved landlords in Birmingham, Gateshead and Nottingham and the next stage will start in mid-February/March.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has confirmed that the database won’t be implemented until later in the year, when it will be rolled out on a regional basis, and that any information entered during the beta phase will be deleted shortly afterwards, according to the NRLA.

Overseas

It is looking for individual and joint landlords, overseas landlords (living outside the UK but with properties in England), organisational landlords such as companies, trusts and charities, landlords using letting agents solely to manage properties, landlords that need help when using digital services as well as those who are unable to use digital services.

Registration will be compulsory and non-compliant landlords could end up with a fine of up to £40,000 for repeated breaches or providing false or misleading information. The government plans to enforce compliance by linking possession to an active registration, meaning that landlords won’t be able to regain possession of a property unless both it and they are registered.

Provide

Landlords will be expected to provide landlord contact details, property details such as full address, number of bedrooms, number of households or residents, and whether the property is occupied or furnished. The government is also exploring collecting safety and energy information such as Gas Safety Certificates, Electrical safety certificates, and EPCs.

The public will then be able to search the database for information about specific properties or landlords.

If you want to take part in the test, email PRSDatabase@communities.gov.uk to register your interest, stating your name, the type of landlord you are, and whether you use letting agents, managing agents, or manage the property yourself.

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