Mar

PRS Database to ease administrative burden claims government

admin

Property118

PRS Database to ease administrative burden claims government

The government claim they want to minimise the administrative requirements on landlords with the upcoming Private Rented Sector Database.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, all landlords will need to sign up for the database, which will include information about their properties that tenants can access.

The government has not given a definitive timeline for when landlords will need to sign up, but the rollout will commence later this year.

Minimise administrative disruption

In a written question, Conservative MP Gareth Bacon asked: “What assessment has the government made of the need for the PRS database to allow block-registrations to accommodate large-scale landlords.”

In response, Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said: “The government is considering how data might be collected with a view to minimise administrative requirements on private landlords.”

As previously reported by Property118, the government has hinted at combining the registration process for the PRS database and Ombudsman, but stopped short of confirming whether landlords will be required to pay separate fees for each scheme.

Mr Pennycook claims the fees for the PRS Database will consider the burden on landlords.

He said: “Fees to register on the PRS Database will be set out in secondary legislation and will take account a range of factors, including burden on landlords.

“In line with practice across other Ombudsmen, the PRS Ombudsman will set the fee members would be required to pay. This will be on the basis of their running costs and service provision. The ombudsman would not be able to make profit and the government will ensure that the fee is proportionate and is good value.”

If a landlord lets or advertises a property without it first being registered on the database, they can be issued with a civil penalty of up to £7,000 or a £40,000 fine if they provide fraudulent information to the database.

The post PRS Database to ease administrative burden claims government appeared first on Property118.