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The PRS Ombudsman will be an independent body designed to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. This guide covers everything landlords need to know.
Written by
Ryan Green
PUBLISHED ON
April 14, 2026
UPDATED ON
April 14, 2026
READ TIME
0 min
The Renters’ Rights reforms don’t just change how tenancies work - they also introduce a new layer of oversight across the private rented sector (PRS).
Two of the most significant changes are:
Together, these measures aim to standardise how landlords operate, improve tenant protections, and increase accountability across the sector.
For landlords, this represents a shift towards a more formal, regulated system. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the expected 2028 rollout.
The PRS Ombudsman will be an independent body designed to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.
Its core function is to provide a formal, accessible route for tenant complaints without immediately resorting to the courts.
This includes disputes relating to:
Historically tenants renting directly from landlords had limited routes to escalate complaints. The main option was often court action (slow, expensive, adversarial)
The government’s goal is to:
There’s also a clear policy shift from reactive enforcement (courts, councils) to ongoing oversight and early dispute resolution.
The scheme is expected to apply to all private landlords in England, regardless of:
This marks a shift from voluntary or limited complaint schemes (redress) to a mandatory, sector-wide system.
Alongside the Ombudsman, a new PRS database will require landlords to register themselves and their properties.
While full details are still being finalised, the database is expected to include:
The database is intended to act as a single source of truth for regulators, tenants, and local authorities.
In practice, this means:
The PRS Ombudsman and database are expected to be introduced as part of the wider Renters’ Rights reforms, with full implementation targeted for 2028.
While exact timelines are still subject to confirmation, it is likely the rollout will be phased, allowing:
The new requirements are expected to apply broadly across the private rental sector.
The scope is intentionally broad. According to government guidance, complaints can include:
Complaints relate to “actions, inactions or behaviours of a landlord which has caused harm or inconvenience.” - Gov.uk
The Ombudsman will act as a formal dispute resolution body between tenants and landlords.
Tenants will be able to:
Common complaints may include:
The Ombudsman will have powers to put things right, including compelling landlords to issue an apology, provide information, take remedial action, and/or pay compensation of up to £25,000.
The Ombudsman is expected to have the authority to:
This introduces a new layer of accountability outside of the court system.
Tenants only (current, former, and in some cases prospective) - not landlords.
This diagram shows how redress schemes have traditionally operated across the housing sector. While social housing and letting agents are already covered, private landlords have not been part of a universal system - something the PRS Ombudsman is designed to address:
The PRS Ombudsman and database are part of a broader shift in how the rental sector is regulated. These measures sit alongside:
While 2028 may seem some time away, preparation is largely about getting organised early.
Ensure you have easy access to:
Moving away from paper records or scattered systems will make registration and compliance significantly easier. You can try tools like Landlord Studios for free for up to three properties.
Keeping up to date with changes will help you:
The introduction of the PRS Ombudsman and landlord database reflects a clear direction by the government.
The private rented sector is becoming:
For landlords, this doesn’t necessarily mean more difficulty - but it does mean less room for informal or inconsistent processes.
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Renter's Rights changes are coming in May. Are you ready? In this webinar, we take a closer look at what phase 1 changes mean for landlords and what you need to do to stay compliant
Hosted by: Logan Ransley, Co-founder of Landlord Studio
When: 12pm Thursday 23rd April
Duration: 45 minutes, Live Webinar
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