Privately Rented Property Portal: Renters (Reform) Bill
Information on the introduction of a new Private Rented Sector Database in the Renters (Reform) Bill to support the future digital Privately Rented Property Portal service.
Applies to England
The Renters (Reform) Bill will introduce a new Private Rented Sector Database, which will support the future digital Privately Rented Property Portal service. All landlords will be legally required to register themselves and their properties on the Property Portal and could be subject to penalties if they market or let out a property without registering it and providing the required information.
The Property Portal will provide a ‘one stop shop’ for landlords allowing them to access relevant guidance through a single ‘front door’. This will provide the basis for an effective service, helping landlords understand their obligations and demonstrate compliance. The Property Portal will also be used for communicating changes to requirements – ensuring landlords have access to simple up-to-date information about their responsibilities.
For tenants, the Property Portal will increase transparency and the information available before they decide to rent a property and throughout their renting journey. This will allow them to take effective action to enforce their rights and be aware when they can escalate issues with their property to their local council or the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman.
The Property Portal will also provide local councils with more data about private sector properties. One of the biggest and most time-consuming barriers faced by local councils is identifying poor quality and non-compliant private rented sector properties and who owns them. The Property Portal will provide a trusted and consistent intelligence source which will remove unnecessary, frustrating administration, meaning council staff will be able to focus on enforcement against criminal landlords.
Frequently asked questions
How will a landlord sign up to the Property Portal and what happens if they don’t?
- All landlords will be legally required to register their property on the Property Portal. They will be able to do this online.
- For those who are unable to register online, we will offer advice telephone lines and alternative offline ways for registrations to be processed.
- Local councils will be able to take enforcement action against private landlords that fail to join the Property Portal. If a landlord lets or advertises a property without it first being registered on the Property Portal, they can be fined up to £5,000 by the local council. If a landlord repeatedly breaches the requirement, or if they commit a serious offence such as providing fraudulent information to the Property Portal, they may be fined up to £30,000 or could face criminal prosecution and a Banning Order.
Who will pay for the Property Portal? How much will it cost landlords?
- Landlords will be required to pay for to registered for the Property Portal. However, we will work to ensure that the fee is proportionate and good value.
What information will be available to the public on the Property Portal?
- We are still determining the exact information which will be available to the public and this will be set out in regulations. We are planning for this to include information related to property standards.
- We are committed to carefully balancing landlords’ privacy concerns with private tenants’ need to make informed decisions about their housing options when designing a new system. Tenants will be able to access necessary information in relation to their landlord’s identity and details of the property, but we do not envisage that all data will be publicly accessible.
How will the Property Portal interact with the Database of Rogue Landlords?
- We intend for the Privately Rented Property Portal to replace the functionality of the Database of Rogue Landlords relating to private sector landlords.
- We will make certain details relating to offences viewable to tenants and prospective tenants. Opening up this information will ensure tenants can make a more informed rental decision – leading to a better rental experience. However, we will also ensure that this aim is proportionate to landlords’ right to privacy.
Will the introduction of the Property Portal mean the end of selective licensing?
- Selective licensing remains a valuable tool when used appropriately and combined with other measures. It enables local authorities to target the improvement of standards and safety in areas suffering from issues such as poor housing quality, high levels of deprivation and anti-social behaviour. It has the ability to drive better outcomes for local residents, tenants and responsible landlords.
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Our plans to deliver a Property Portal will provide access to information about privately rented properties and tackle one of the biggest and most time-consuming barriers faced by local councils when enforcing standards – identifying poor quality and non-compliant properties and who owns them.
- We will work with local councils to gather more information about their selective licensing schemes to ensure the schemes are continuing to deliver the intended outcomes
When will the Property Portal be launched?
- We plan to introduce the Property Portal as soon as possible after the Bill has received Royal Assent.
- We will ensure we have tested it well and that it’s working well for all parties before it is introduced.