Hello Readers,

It’s been another big week for property investors, and I thought I’d bring you up to date with three main headlines you’ll want the details on. I’ve had lots of questions about these already from investors, so here’s everything you need to know.

Medway selective licensing scheme delayed

The first update is around Medway Council’s selective licensing scheme, which I covered in detail recently here.

The scheme was approved, added to the council website, and then replaced with a redaction notice. I’ve since learned it’s being re-presented to cabinet for consideration again.

This doesn’t mean it won’t happen. If approved, the scheme is expected to be implemented from January 2027. Regardless, perhaps Medway Council has started to see some sense.

You can find full details on the council’s website. The reason it’s been sent back to cabinet is related to “an issue with implementation” (whatever that means).

I’ll keep you posted as soon as I know the details following the cabinet meeting on 22nd September, or sooner if I find out what the issue actually was.

National Landlord Database (PRS Database): Costs, registration deadlines and what’s required

This has been in the news a lot over the past week: the national landlord database, officially known as the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Database, launching as part of the Renters’ Rights Act reforms. It will hold similar information to council databases, and tenants will be able to check whether their landlord is registered.

How much does the landlord database cost?

Landlords will be required to pay £65 per property per year. The issue here is that, on top of council selective licensing fees, landlords will need to find around £20 a month extra per property just to stay on the databases. I’m struggling to see how this improves the quality of housing tenants live in, when the most likely outcome is higher rents.

When do I need to register for the PRS database?

The NRLA has published a helpful regional rollout timeline. For the South East, the registration window runs from 15th May to 14th June 2027 – here’s the full timetable:

Use the NRLA’s handy postcode search tool if you’re unsure when your property needs to register. You only need to register a property once it’s actually let – future legislation will require unoccupied properties to be registered before they’re marketed too.

Landlords register using their GOV.UK One Login. If you use an agent, there will be an option for your agent to upload documentation on your behalf once you’re registered.

What information do I need to provide to register?

For individual landlords:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Residential address
• Telephone number
• Email address

For organisational landlords:

• Name and type of legal entity
• Address (no PO Box numbers)
• Telephone number and email address
• Details of the individual registering on the organisation’s behalf
• Nominated contact details
• Companies House registration number or charity number, if applicable
• Where no Companies House number applies: names, dates of birth and addresses of all directors, trustees, partners or governing body members
• For trusts: lead trustee’s name, date of birth, address, email and phone number

For all landlords, you’ll also need to declare if you’re registering in a specific capacity (e.g. power of attorney, personal representative, court-appointed deputy, guardian, receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidator, administrator, mortgagee, or similar), along with certified evidence of that authority.

Dwelling information required includes:

• Property address, ownership type and dwelling type
• Number of bedrooms and whether it’s currently let
• Freeholder, superior landlord or property manager details
• Number of occupants and households
• Any HMO, additional or selective licence numbers
• Whether the property is let furnished, part-furnished or unfurnished
• Rent charged, payment frequency, and whether utilities are included

Health and safety information required includes:

• Gas safety record and issue date (if applicable)
• EICR or EIC and expiry date
• Confirmation of a valid EPC provided to the current tenant, plus a copy if one exists
• If the EPC has expired, the date the current tenancy started
• If the EPC rating is below the minimum standard, details of any MEES exemption

On the database itself, I have no problem with a national register of landlords existing. It’s the costly duplication between this and local licensing schemes that I can’t get my head around.

HMRC to take over rulings on rent increase disputes

In an interesting shift, HMRC’s Valuation Office (VOA) will take over ruling on rent disputes, a role currently handled by the First-tier Tribunal for Section 13 rent increase challenges.

The stated reason is to speed up the process and free up tribunal time, and I don’t doubt it will do that. But I wonder if there’s a second, underlying motive: more visibility on landlords not paying tax on personally owned property.

This change is expected to take around two years to implement, and it doesn’t look like the process has started yet.

What this means for landlords

Some interesting changes here, and I wonder if we’ll see another leap in landlords exiting the sector. I’ll be writing my full thoughts on this soon.

Got questions on any of this? The best way to reach me is by emailing hasan@home-share.co.uk.

Hasan