For landlords reviewing a property in Solihull, Shirley, Olton or the surrounding area this November, the next registration stage is approaching. The West Midlands is the first region in England scheduled to use the new Register your rental property service.
The published West Midlands registration period runs from 15 December 2026 to 14 March 2027. Check which properties and tenancy arrangements are in scope, and plan to meet the relevant deadline rather than treating the service as already live.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What is the PRS database?
The PRS Database is a new national register of private landlords and their rental properties. It’s being introduced by the government as part of broader reforms to improve standards and transparency across the private rented sector in England.
Think of it like a central record – one place where landlords, properties, and letting activity are formally logged. It’s designed to help local councils like Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (Solihull MBC) identify non-compliant landlords and protect tenants from poor conditions.
The West Midlands is the first region in England to go live. That makes Solihull landlords among the very first in the country to face this requirement.
Why the West Midlands is going first
The West Midlands is the first regional rollout, followed by other parts of England on separate dates. It is a staged registration programme rather than a deadline that applies to every landlord at the same time.
Properties in Sheldon, Acocks Green and Hall Green are within Birmingham, while Wythall is in Bromsgrove district; they should not all be described as Solihull borough addresses. They share the West Midlands regional window, but the council responsible for a particular property depends on its full address.
What you need to register
Registration covers two things: you as a landlord and each property you let.
Your landlord number (L-XXXX-XXXX)
Registration provides a landlord number in the format L-XXXX-XXXX. Check the appropriate individual, joint-landlord or organisation route rather than assuming the same account arrangement fits every ownership structure. Keep the resulting details with your property records.
Your property number (P-XXXX-XXXX)
Each individual rental property you own must also be registered separately. You’ll receive a unique property number for each one, in the format P-XXXX-XXXX.
For a portfolio, maintain a list matching each property number to its address and registration record. Check that shared ownership and the people responsible for updates have been recorded correctly.
Mandatory display on all adverts – a later stage
The government intends landlord and property numbers to appear on rental adverts when that requirement takes effect. The October 2026 service guidance describes this as a future stage, not an automatic advertising duty starting as soon as a landlord receives a number.
Agree with your agent, who will update listings when the requirement is commenced. During the initial rollout, distinguish the registration of occupied homes from the later requirement to register unoccupied properties before marketing them.
The deadlines you can’t afford to miss
Let’s be clear on the timeline:
- 15 December 2026 – The PRS Database goes live in the West Midlands
- 14 March 2027 – The registration deadline for all landlords in scope
- Check later commencement dates separately for advert-number requirements and restrictions affecting possession orders.
Use November to agree responsibilities and prepare records before the festive period. A property checklist and diary reminders are more useful than waiting until the final days of the regional window.
What happens if you miss the deadline
The penalties for non-compliance are significant – and they apply to landlords of all sizes, from those with a single rental flat in Olton to those managing large portfolios across the borough.
Financial penalties
Official service guidance distinguishes penalties of up to £7,000 for failure to register from higher penalties of up to £40,000 for specified false or misleading information and continuing or repeated breaches. These are maximums for different conduct, not an automatic £40,000 fine for every missed deadline.
Rent repayment orders
Rent repayment orders depend on a qualifying offence and a tribunal decision. The reforms can allow recovery of up to 24 months’ rent where the rules apply; they do not mean every registration delay automatically requires a landlord to repay a fixed amount.
Restrictions on possession proceedings
Official guidance places the registration-related possession restriction at a later stage, described as winter 2027. Do not treat it as a blanket bar taking effect with Solihull’s March registration deadline. If possession is being considered, check the operative rules, exceptions and tenancy circumstances with a solicitor.
Keep registration planning separate from any existing notice or court timetable. A planned future restriction does not remove today’s duties to serve a valid notice and prove the relevant possession ground.
How to register: a step-by-step guide
Step 1: gather your information.
Before you start, have the following ready:
- Your full name and contact details
- Ownership and organisation information relevant to the landlord’s registration route.
- The address of every rental property you own in the West Midlands
- Details of any managing agent acting on your behalf
Step 2: register on the government portal.
Use the official GOV.UK service when it opens. Follow the instructions for the ownership structure and property rather than sending personal documents to an unverified third-party registration site.
Step 3: note your numbers.
Keep the landlord and property numbers with your tenancy file. Share relevant property details securely with the managing agent and agree who will record changes, renewal dates and any outstanding actions.
Step 4: update all adverts.
Prepare a list of the platforms carrying each property, but follow the announced commencement date for mandatory number display. Receiving a number is not itself evidence that the future advertising requirement has begun.
What if you use a letting agent?
The landlord remains responsible for starting registration and meeting the service requirements. Agents can provide certain tenancy and safety details through the service’s delegation features, but that support should be agreed rather than assumed.
Hunters Solihull can discuss the preparation and management support available for your properties. Confirm who will supply each item, check the account and monitor outstanding actions, particularly where several landlords or an organisation are involved.
If you’re unsure whether your current agent is keeping you compliant, now is a good time to ask.
A note for portfolio landlords
For a portfolio across the West Midlands, keep a separate record for each home and its responsible council. If you also own in another region, record that region’s registration period rather than relying on one March deadline.
An organised schedule should identify the property, the person supplying information, the expected action and its completion date. Ask your managing agent which tasks are included in your service and which remain for you to carry out.
Don’t wait – act now
The West Midlands launch is scheduled for 15 December 2026. Preparing during November gives you time to clarify ownership details, locate records and resolve questions before registration opens.
Hunters Solihull is here to help landlords navigate this change – whether you’re a first-time landlord letting a single property in Shirley or an experienced investor with a portfolio across the borough.
Get ahead of the deadline. Understand your obligations. Protect your investment.
Book a free valuation to review your rental property’s current market position alongside your wider letting plans.
Get in touch with Hunters Solihull to discuss the registration timetable, your property records and the management support available.
Here to get you there.
