The new Private Rented Sector Database risks placing additional costs on compliant landlords without catching rogue operators unless councils have sufficient resources to enforce the regime, Veco Software has warned.
The property software provider has questioned whether landlords deliberately operating outside existing rules will voluntarily register when the new system is introduced.
Registration is due to begin in the West Midlands on 15 December before being rolled out across England in stages until August 2027.
Landlords will have three months to register properties following the introduction of the system in their region, with an annual registration fee of £65 per property.
ENFORCEMENT TEST
Veco Chief Executive Officer Richard Murray (main picture) says: “I support measures that raise standards in the Private Rented Sector, but there is an obvious question: will registration really flush out rogue landlords, or will those determined to operate outside the rules simply choose not to register?
“My concern is that the immediate cost and administrative burden will fall most heavily on good landlords who already do the right thing, and on reputable letting agents managing properties professionally on their behalf.
“The real test will be whether local authorities have the resources and determination to identify and pursue those who fail to register. Otherwise, we risk creating another layer of administration for the compliant majority without effectively tackling the minority who cause the problems.”
AGENT SUPPORT
Veco has also launched a PRS Registration Pledge under which it will adapt its Veco and Veco Plus platforms as further government guidance becomes available.
Planned functionality includes identifying affected properties, highlighting missing information and recording registration numbers and relevant dates.
Warnings and workflows are also being developed to help agents monitor registration deadlines and compliance documentation.
Veco says it will explore integrating Veco Plus with the government registration service once technical requirements and integration options become available.
Murray says: “For fully managed properties, much of the information required for registration is already held within Veco and Veco Plus. Agents are maintaining landlord details, property records, tenancy information and compliance documentation as part of their everyday operations.
“It makes little sense for professional agents to have to duplicate information they already maintain.
“Our pledge is that Veco will continue adapting our technology to support the regulations, help agents understand what needs to be done and when, and make the best possible use of information already held within our systems.
“Technology should be reducing the administrative burden of compliance, not adding to it.”
