The government has given details of the work letting agents can do in the new mandatory Private Rental Sector Database.

It urges agents to discuss with landlord clients whether they – agents – should complete the database on behalf of clients. 

Agencies will be sent links by the government. Using those links, agents can provide: 

• details about any House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), additional or selective licences;
• the number of tenants and households in the property;
• if the property is furnished, partly furnished or unfurnished;
• how much the rent is;
• any bills the rent includes;

Agents can also provide a property’s compliance certificates and issue/expiry information:

• gas safety certificate (if the property has a gas supply);
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC);
• energy performance certificate (EPC).

The government adds: “You’ll be able to keep these sections of a property’s registration updated.

“You’re responsible for the accuracy of any property information you submit, so you may wish to begin preparing this in advance of the launch if you intend to engage with the service. 

“Landlords will also receive a notification of any data you submit.

“Landlords remain responsible for ensuring this information is provided. If it is not submitted within 28 days, the property’s registration will become inactive and the landlord may breach their legal duties. We will send landlords a reminder if any required information has not been provided during this time.

“Landlords also have a responsibility to keep all information up to date within 28 days of any change, such as if the number of occupants or amount of rent changes, or if a certificate expires and is replaced. You can support them by providing these updates on their behalf using the same links.”

You can see the full details of agents’ responsibilities, plus those specifically for landlords, here:  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-your-rental-property-service-guidance-for-letting-agents-and-property-managers?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=d737f240-6e6c-4e23-95bd-cca118c61e0a&utm_content=immediately

Here are the regional roll out deadlines: