Another major part of the Renters’ Rights Act is moving closer, and landlords across Essex and Suffolk need to start preparing.

The Government’s new “Register Your Rental Property” service will create a national database of private landlords and rental properties in England, with landlords required to register themselves and each qualifying property they let.

In the latest episode of Property in Essex and Suffolk, Boydens Managing Director Philip Boyden is joined by Paul Buck, Director of Sales & Lettings, to explain what we know so far, what it is likely to mean in practice and what landlords should be doing now.

Watch the video below for the full discussion.

or listen to the podcast on our Spotify: Spotify Link - Click Here

When will landlords in Essex and Suffolk need to register?

The new service is being introduced region by region rather than launching across England on a single day.

Under the Government’s current published timetable, the East of England – including Essex and Suffolk – enters the scheme from 15 January 2027.

Landlords will then have a three-month registration window, with properties in the East of England required to be registered by 14 April 2027.

The national service itself is due to begin opening from 15 December 2026, starting with the West Midlands, and landlords will be able to register properties earlier if they wish.

For landlords with portfolios spread across different regions, this could provide an opportunity to deal with registrations together rather than waiting for each individual regional deadline.

How much will registration cost?

The Government has confirmed an annual fee of:

£65 per rental property, per year

That means a landlord with one property would currently expect to pay £65 annually, while somebody with a portfolio of ten qualifying properties would face an annual registration cost of £650.

The registration will need to be renewed each year.

For portfolio landlords in particular, this becomes another ongoing compliance cost which should be factored into the overall running of the portfolio.

What information will landlords need to provide?

This isn't simply a case of entering your name and property address.

The new database is designed to bring together information about landlords, properties, tenancies and compliance.

Information expected to be required includes:

• Landlord contact information
• The address of each rental property
• Property type and number of bedrooms
• Whether the property is currently occupied
• Details about the tenancy and occupants
• Rent information
• Gas safety information where applicable
• Electrical safety documentation
• Energy Performance Certificate information
• Licensing information where relevant
• Details of letting agents or property managers involved with the property

For landlords with several properties, gathering and checking that information across an entire portfolio could take some time.

That is why our advice is simple: don't leave preparation until the deadline arrives.

Can your letting agent register the property for you?

This is an important point.

While letting agents and property managers will be able to assist with certain information, the Government has said that the landlord will remain ultimately responsible for the registration.

Landlords will therefore need to engage with the process themselves rather than assuming their managing agent can simply complete everything without their involvement.

At Boydens, we will continue to follow the guidance closely and help our managed landlords understand what information will be required and what action they need to take as the service launches.

What happens if a landlord doesn't register?

Registration won't be optional for landlords and properties that fall within the scope of the scheme.

The Government has confirmed that landlords who fail to register their properties could face enforcement action and financial penalties.

There are also wider implications within the Renters’ Rights Act for landlords who fail to comply with the requirements of the new database.

For that reason, this isn't something landlords should regard as simply another administrative exercise.

Keeping accurate property records and remaining on top of compliance is becoming increasingly important.

What should landlords do now?

For Essex and Suffolk landlords, January 2027 may sound some way off, but there is no reason to wait until then to start getting organised.

We would recommend making sure you have up-to-date records for every property within your portfolio, including:

Gas Safety Certificates
Check that certificates are current and properly recorded.

Electrical Installation Condition Reports
Make sure the relevant electrical safety documentation is available.

Energy Performance Certificates
Check the EPC position for each property.

Tenancy Information
Ensure you have accurate tenancy, rental and occupancy information.

Property Details
Make sure addresses, property types and ownership information are correct across your portfolio.

For landlords with larger portfolios, doing this gradually now is likely to be far easier than trying to resolve missing information when a registration deadline is approaching.

Another change landlords cannot ignore

The private rented sector has already undergone significant reform during 2026.

The abolition of Section 21, changes to tenancy structures, new rules around rent increases, pets and possession have all changed the way landlords operate.

The introduction of the rental property database represents another major stage of that reform.

For professional landlords, the direction of travel is clear: good record keeping, strong compliance and proactive management are becoming increasingly important.

Helping landlords across Essex and Suffolk stay compliant

At Boydens, we manage rental properties and landlord portfolios across Colchester, Chelmsford, Kelvedon, Frinton-on-Sea, Sudbury and the wider Essex and Suffolk area.

Our role isn't simply to find tenants and collect rent.

We work with landlords to help them navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment, keep their properties compliant and protect the long-term performance of their investments.

If you're unsure how the new rental property registration service could affect you or your portfolio, speak to your local Boydens lettings team.

And make sure you follow Property in Essex and Suffolk and the Boydens Landlord Series as we continue to explain the changes landlords need to know about.