The government’s official database of rogue landlords and letting agents currently lists only 51 active entries, indicating a relatively low number of serious offenders recorded since the database’s launch in 2018. This figure comes amid increasing enforcement powers under the Renters’ Rights Act and ongoing challenges in fine collection by local authorities.

Rogue landlord database overview

The Database of Rogue Landlords and Property Agents was established in 2018 and is accessible exclusively to local councils. It includes those landlords and agents who have been subject to banning orders or multiple serious penalties. According to Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, the database holds 51 active entries, though it does not differentiate between landlords and letting agents.

Despite its existence for several years, the database remains closed to public access. A government consultation in 2019 explored the possibility of making the database publicly viewable, but no response or outcome from this consultation has been published to date.

London’s approach and challenges

In London, the Mayor’s office operates a separate rogue landlord checker, which allows tenants to verify if landlords have received fines, prosecutions, revoked licences, or banning orders. However, this system is voluntary and incomplete, with 14 of the capital’s 32 boroughs absent from the Greater London Authority’s database. Generation Rent has criticised this patchy coverage, highlighting uneven enforcement across London boroughs.

Mandatory registration under the Renters’ Rights Act

The Renters’ Rights Act has introduced a new requirement for all landlords to register on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) database. This register will hold information about landlords and their properties, accessible to tenants, thereby increasing transparency in the rental market. Local councils have been granted enforcement powers to ensure compliance with this registration requirement.

Failure to register a property before letting or advertising it can result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000. More severe sanctions apply if landlords provide fraudulent information, with fines reaching up to £40,000.

What this means for landlords

The relatively low number of entries on the rogue landlord database suggests that serious breaches leading to banning orders or multiple penalties remain limited. However, the introduction of the PRS database and enhanced enforcement powers under the Renters’ Rights Act signal a tightening regulatory environment. Landlords must ensure they register all rental properties promptly and accurately to avoid substantial fines and penalties.

Furthermore, the ongoing issues with fine collection by councils, particularly in London, indicate that while enforcement mechanisms exist, their effectiveness varies regionally. Landlords should remain vigilant in maintaining compliance to mitigate risks associated with enforcement actions and reputational damage.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

TLA Training Academy

The Landlord Association has launched its new Training Academy for UK landlords, providing structured guidance, compliance education, and practical knowledge to support landlords at every stage. Members can now complete the programme and become TLA Certified Landlords at no additional cost as part of their membership.

Landlords can explore the Academy here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/tla-academy/

Those looking to join and access the full training and certification can register here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/landlord-association-membership-uk/

TLA update

The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/