Propertymark calls for end to local landlord licensing

Propertymark has called for the removal of local discretionary landlord licensing schemes in England and Wales once the government’s national landlord database becomes fully operational. The trade body argues that current selective licensing schemes impose heavy financial and administrative burdens on responsible landlords and agents—sometimes exceeding £1,000 per property—without necessarily improving enforcement against poor housing providers.

The government is set to launch the landlord registration service, the first phase of the Private Rented Sector Database, in the West Midlands on 15 December 2026. Following this, the service will roll out across England over the next 12 months, eventually requiring all active landlords to register.

Propertymark suggests that councils should use this national database as their primary information source to avoid redundant data entry and fees. The organization also highlighted concerns regarding enforcement effectiveness, noting that many councils struggle with recruitment and have low prosecution rates despite high volumes of property condition complaints.