All private landlords in England must register with the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman from 1 May 2026. Operating without registration is a civil offence carrying a penalty of up to £7,000 per property.
What is the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman?
The Private Rented Sector Ombudsman (PRSO) is an independent dispute resolution body created by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 to handle complaints from tenants about private landlords. It replaces the previous voluntary redress schemes (The Property Ombudsman, Property Redress Scheme) with a mandatory, statutory framework covering all private landlords in England.
Who must register?
- All private landlords in England: Registration is mandatory for every landlord letting a private residential property in England under a Periodic Assured Tenancy or any assured tenancy, regardless of portfolio size
- No minimum portfolio threshold: The obligation applies to landlords with a single property as much as portfolio landlords with dozens of properties
- Letting agents: Managing agents acting on behalf of landlords must also register. A landlord who uses a registered agent may benefit from the agent's registration covering the property — but confirm this with the PRSO
- Not required: Social landlords (councils and registered providers), temporary accommodation providers, and lodgers letting a room in their own principal home are outside the mandatory regime
Registration process
- Register online at the official PRSO website (accessible from gov.uk) — provide property addresses, landlord contact details, and evidence of compliance certificates
- Pay the registration fee (set annually by the PRSO — confirm the current fee at registration)
- Receive a registration certificate for each registered property — provide a copy to tenants on request
- Renew registration annually and update the register when you acquire or dispose of properties
- Display your PRSO registration number in tenancy agreements and correspondence with tenants — this is recommended best practice and may become a mandatory pre-tenancy document requirement
What the PRSO investigates
- Repair and maintenance failures: Failure to comply with Awaab's Law timeframes (damp/mould within 14 days investigation + 7 days works), failure to carry out urgent repairs within 24 hours, failure to complete non-urgent works within 10 weeks
- Unlawful eviction conduct: Serving Section 21 notices (now unlawful), harassment, illegal eviction, failure to use the correct Section 8 process
- Deposit breaches: Failure to protect deposits in an approved scheme within 30 days, failure to serve prescribed information
- Rent increase non-compliance: Attempting to raise rent other than via Form 4A Section 13 notice, giving less than 2 months' notice, raising rent more than once in 12 months
- Pet request failures: Failing to respond to a pet request within 42 days, unlawful refusal without reasonable grounds
- Information Sheet failures: Failure to serve the RRA 2025 Information Sheet on existing tenants by 31 May 2026
- General landlord obligations: Failure to serve required safety certificates, How to Rent guide, or Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement
PRSO awards and remedies
The PRSO can award tenants financial compensation of up to £25,000 per complaint. Awards are binding on registered landlords. The PRSO can also require landlords to carry out repairs, change their practices, or provide specific documents or information.
Consequences of non-registration
- Civil penalty of up to £7,000 per unregistered property, enforced by the local authority
- Tenants cannot be evicted using Section 8 Ground 1A (selling) or Ground 1 (own occupation) if the landlord is not registered
- The landlord cannot rely on Ground 8 (rent arrears) if the tenancy was granted while the landlord was unregistered
- Local authority enforcement notices requiring registration — non-compliance with an enforcement notice can lead to a banning order
Sources
This guide is accurate as at 6 June 2026. It is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.