In October 2026, landlords in Knowle, Dorridge, Bentley Heath, Hampton-in-Arden, Catherine-de-Barnes and Earlswood can prepare for the December PRS database launch. Gather the property information and safety records now, before winter renewals and the holiday period compete for your time.
Registration opens on 15 December 2026, with the West Midlands first in the regional rollout and a deadline of 14 March 2027. The initial requirement covers properties let on assured or regulated tenancies, subject to exemptions; it does not yet require every vacant property to be registered.
Many landlords across the B93 and B92 postcodes haven’t heard about this yet. That’s exactly why Hunters Knowle has put this guide together – to give you a clear, practical walkthrough of what’s required, what it costs, and what happens if you miss the window.
What is the PRS database?
The PRS Database is a new national register for the private rented sector, introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act. It’s designed to give local councils better oversight of rental properties and to raise standards across the sector.
Landlords of covered assured or regulated tenancies must register themselves and their properties, subject to exemptions. Deadlines depend on the property’s region, with Solihull and the Knowle corridor in the West Midlands rollout.
Think of it like the Gas Safe Register or an EPC – it’s a compliance baseline, not a burden. Getting ahead of it now puts you in a stronger position than landlords who wait.
Who needs to register?
The initial rollout covers landlords of assured or regulated tenancies, with exemptions including supported exempt accommodation. It includes these landlord types where their properties are covered:
- Buy-to-let landlords with a single property
- Portfolio landlords managing multiple homes across Dorridge, Bentley Heath or Earlswood
- Accidental landlords who inherited or retained a property
- Landlords who use a letting agent to manage their properties
Landlords must start and finish registration themselves and remain responsible for the required information. A letting agent, including Hunters Knowle, can support the process and provide certain information through the service’s permitted arrangements.
What you’ll need to register
Registration includes a landlord entry and a separate dwelling entry for each covered property. You do not need a new personal entry for every home.
Part one: your landlord entry
This is your personal record on the database. You’ll provide:
- Your full name and contact details
- Proof of identity
- Any organisational details or evidence of authority required for the person making the entry
Part two: a dwelling entry for each property
For every rental property you own, you’ll need to submit a separate entry. This includes:
- The full address of the property
- Gas safety record and issue date, where the dwelling has a gas supply
- EICR or appropriate Electrical Installation Certificate and expiry date; follow any inspection interval shorter than five years
- EPC and relevant exemption information, plus occupancy, rent and applicable licensing details
If your certificates are out of date, get them renewed before you register. Landlords in Knowle and the surrounding villages who manage older housing stock – particularly along the Dorridge Road corridor or near Catherine-de-Barnes – should check renewal dates now.
What does it cost?
The registration fee is £65 per property, per year. This is paid directly to the database, not to your letting agent or local council.
At the standard annual rate, three properties cost £195. Budget for the fee per covered property and follow the service’s payment instructions; fees are adjusted during rollout for early registrants.
Key dates at a glance
Here’s a simple checklist to keep things clear:
- 15 December 2026 – Registration opens for West Midlands landlords
- 14 March 2027 – West Midlands deadline for properties covered by the initial rollout
- Annual renewal – Registration must be renewed each year and kept up to date
Set a reminder now. Three months sounds generous, but the window will close faster than you expect – especially over the Christmas and New Year period.
Why act early?
Use October to check your rental home’s documentation and plan any winter maintenance. Local demand and supply vary by property and location; an unverified borough-wide 10% supply decline should not determine your registration or letting decisions.
Preparing early reduces the risk of missing records or last-minute inspections. Public access to the database follows a later rollout, so October preparation should focus on the landlord’s responsibilities rather than assuming tenants or lenders can already inspect a live entry.
After the regional deadline, councils can begin registration enforcement. Keep up with official guidance on offences and penalties, and do not confuse the future database timetable with tenancy and safety duties already in force.
Your pre-registration checklist
Use this before 15 December 2026 to make sure you’re ready:
- Confirm the gas safety record is current where a gas supply makes it applicable
- Check the EICR or appropriate EIC expiry date and any shorter inspection interval
- Gather tenancy agreement details for each property
- Prepare your personal ID documents
- Note the address of every property you let
- Calculate your total registration fee (£65 per property)
- Set a diary reminder for 15 December 2026 to begin registration
Don’t wait until January. The Christmas period is the worst time to chase missing certificates or track down paperwork.
How Hunters Knowle can help
Hunters Knowle works with landlords across Knowle, Bentley Heath, Dorridge, Hampton-in-Arden, Catherine-de-Barnes and Earlswood every day. The team understands the local market, the compliance landscape and the practical realities of managing property in this part of Solihull.
The Hunters Knowle team can help you prepare records and understand the timetable. Landlords must start and finish registration, while agents can supply certain information through the permitted service process.
If you’re unsure whether your property is ready for registration – or if you want to understand how the PRS Database fits into your wider compliance picture – get in touch with the Hunters Knowle team today. No pressure, just straightforward guidance from people who know this market well.
You can also book a free valuation if you’re reviewing your portfolio and want an up-to-date picture of what your Knowle, Dorridge or Bentley Heath rental properties are worth in today’s market.
The deadline is fixed. The steps are clear. Let’s make sure you’re ready well before 14 March 2027.
