West Midlands landlord registration: first in England
Short answer. Landlords with let property in the West Midlands region are the first in England required to register on the Private Rented Sector Database. Registration opens on 15 December 2026 and the deadline is 14 March 2027. The region is set by where the property is, not where the landlord lives. The fee is £65 per property per year. Landlords need a GOV.UK One Login, their personal or company details, property and tenancy details, the gas safety record, EICR, EPC and any energy exemption for each property. Councils can begin enforcement after 14 March 2027. The West Midlands region covers 30 councils, from Birmingham and Coventry to Herefordshire and Staffordshire Moorlands.
If you let property in the West Midlands, you go first. Registration on the national landlord database opens on 15 December 2026 and closes for the region on 14 March 2027. That window includes Christmas and New Year, so it is shorter in practice than it looks.
PlutoHome started in the West Midlands for this reason. We are a compliance tool, not the government and not a legal adviser. Check gov.uk for the final rules.
The registration window
- Opens: 15 December 2026.
- Deadline: 14 March 2027.
- After the deadline: councils in the region can start enforcement.
The deadline follows the property. A landlord who lives in London but owns in Wolverhampton must register the Wolverhampton property by 14 March 2027. A Birmingham landlord with a flat in Bristol can wait for the South West window, which closes on 14 November 2027, or register everything early from 15 December 2026.
Which councils are in the West Midlands region
The government has said the rollout runs by English region. We have not found a council list on gov.uk, so this is the standard West Midlands region. Confirm on gov.uk if your property is near a regional boundary.
| Area | Councils |
|---|---|
| Metropolitan boroughs | Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton |
| Unitary councils | Herefordshire, Shropshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin |
| Staffordshire districts | Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Newcastle-under-Lyme, South Staffordshire, Stafford, Staffordshire Moorlands, Tamworth |
| Warwickshire districts | North Warwickshire, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rugby, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwick |
| Worcestershire districts | Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester, Wychavon, Wyre Forest |
Some of these councils run selective or additional licensing schemes. If your property is licensed, have the licence number ready, because the database asks for it.
What it costs
The fee is £65 per property per year. A landlord with 12 West Midlands properties pays £780 a year. Registering before your window would be pro-rated, but in the West Midlands your window opens on day one, so most landlords will simply pay the standard fee.
Your West Midlands checklist
Before 15 December 2026
- Create a GOV.UK One Login.
- List every let property in the region, with the full address and dwelling type.
- For each property, find the current gas safety record, EICR and EPC. Note expiry dates.
- Book renewals for anything that expires before March 2027.
- Check whether any property needs an HMO, additional or selective licence, and find the number.
- Record occupants, households, rent, payment frequency, furnishing and whether bills are included.
- If you own through a company, have the Companies House number and a nominated contact ready.
- Agree with your agent what they will upload.
Between 15 December 2026 and 14 March 2027
- Start the registration yourself.
- Create one entry per property.
- Pay the fee for each property.
- Save your registration numbers. Adverts will need them in future.
After registering
- Update your entry when a certificate is renewed or a tenancy changes.
- Diary the annual renewal.
Why your EPC matters here
The database asks for EPC information and any energy exemption. Councils will be able to compare database entries against the EPC register. A property rated F or G with no registered exemption will stand out straight away. That is a breach of today's rules. By 1 October 2030 the target becomes the equivalent of EPC C. See our EPC C guide.
Why the West Midlands goes first
The government has not given a public reason for the order of regions. In practice, going first means West Midlands landlords will use the service before others, while any early problems are fixed. Allow extra time, keep screenshots of each step and save confirmation emails. If something goes wrong near the deadline, evidence that you tried to register in good time will help.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the deadline follows your home address. It follows the property.
- Leaving it until March. Systems launched on day one often have queues and fixes.
- Registering with an expired gas record or EICR. Renew first.
- Forgetting a property that is between tenants and will be let again during the rollout.
- Relying on an agent to start the process. The landlord must start it.
Questions
When must West Midlands landlords register?
Between 15 December 2026 and 14 March 2027.
I live outside the West Midlands but own property there. Which deadline applies?
The West Midlands deadline, 14 March 2027, for the properties located there. The deadline follows the property address.
Is Birmingham in the first wave?
Yes. Birmingham is in the West Midlands region, along with Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and the councils of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Telford and Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.
What does it cost?
£65 per property per year.
What happens if I miss 14 March 2027?
Councils in the region can start enforcement. Penalties of up to £7,000 apply for breaches, and courts cannot make most possession orders while you are in breach.
Do I need a new EPC to register?
You need to give EPC information where an EPC is required. If your EPC has expired and you are marketing or re-letting, you need a new one anyway.