Is my landlord registered?
The national PRS Database launches late 2026. Until then, here's every public register you can check for free, plus the one cross-check that stops rental scams cold: Land Registry ownership verification.
Free area check. Address-level Renter Report with landlord compliance checks from £4.99.
What is the PRS Database?
The Private Rented Sector Database is a national register of every private landlord and tenancy in England, created under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It gives tenants, councils, and the public a way to verify that a landlord is legitimate and that the property is compliant before a tenancy begins.
The Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. Section 21 (no-fault) evictions were abolished from 1 May 2026. The PRS Database is expected to begin a regional rollout in late 2026, with the PRS Ombudsman following by 2028.
Until the database is live nationally, the only way to verify a landlord is to combine a handful of public registers with a Land Registry title check.
Six checks you can do right now
Check the HMO licence register for your council
If the property is a shared house (3+ unrelated tenants, some areas 5+), the landlord must hold a licence. Each council runs its own public register. Missing licence = rent repayment claim up to 12 months.
Find your council's HMO register →Check Scotland's Landlord Register
Scotland has had a mandatory national register since 2006. Search by address or landlord name.
landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk →Check Rent Smart Wales
Wales requires every private landlord and letting agent to register and be licensed. Free public lookup.
rentsmart.gov.wales →Check London's Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker
The Mayor of London publishes convicted rogue landlords and agents across the capital. Free to search.
Mayor of London's Rogue Landlord Checker →Check the selective licensing scheme for your local council
Over 80 councils run selective licensing in designated wards. Search "selective licensing [council name]" - unlicensed lets are illegal and tenants can reclaim up to 12 months' rent.
Cross-check with the Land Registry title
The registered owner on HMLR should match the person claiming to be your landlord. If it doesn't, the person listing the property may be subletting without permission or committing fraud. (Coming to our Verified Renter tier.)
What the PRS Database will change
| What | When | What it means for tenants |
|---|---|---|
| Section 21 abolished | 1 May 2026 | No more “no-fault” evictions. Landlords must give a specific legal reason. |
| PRS Database rollout | Late 2026 (regional) | Every landlord must register. Tenants can verify registration before signing. |
| Awaab's Law (private) | 2026 | Fixed timeframes to fix damp, mould, and hazards. Full guide. |
| PRS Ombudsman | Expected 2028 | Free route to resolve tenancy disputes without going to court. |
| Decent Homes Standard (PRS) | 2035 | Every private rental must meet minimum quality standards. |
Get a Renter Report before you sign
£4.99. Address-level report with landlord compliance check (EPC, HMO, deposit scheme), damp risk from EPC data, fair rent vs local median, full monthly bills and safety score. Instant PDF + email.