The government has confirmed new mandatory requirements for landlords and letting agents under the Renters’ Rights Act, marking a significant change to how tenancies in England must be documented and issued from 1 May 2026.
These changes apply to all new private tenancies granted on or after that date (excluding social housing). Existing tenancies will be treated differently, as outlined below.
Although the government guidance and statutory instrument are currently published in draft form and may still change, landlords are being strongly encouraged to begin preparing now.
A New Requirement: Written Statement of Terms
From 1 May 2026, landlords and letting agents must provide tenants with a written statement of terms before the tenancy is entered into.
This applies to all new tenancies granted under the Housing Act 1988, which will become known as assured periodic tenancies.
The written statement may be included within the tenancy agreement itself or provided as a separate document, but it must contain specific prescribed information.
What Must Be Included in the Written Statement
The statement must clearly set out the following core details:
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The full name(s) of the landlord(s)
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The full name(s) of the tenant(s)
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The address of the rented property
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The date the tenant is entitled to first occupy the property
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The amount of rent payable
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The date rent is due
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Any bills included in the rent
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Any additional charges payable to the landlord (for example, utilities)
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The deposit amount, if a deposit is taken
In addition to these standard details, the Renters’ Rights Act introduces several new or expanded disclosures that are not always included in current tenancy agreements.
These include:
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The notice period the tenant must give to end the tenancy
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Confirmation that the landlord can usually only end the tenancy by obtaining and enforcing a possession order
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Confirmation that a notice seeking possession must normally be served before court proceedings begin
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An explanation that possession notice periods vary depending on the grounds relied upon
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Confirmation that Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 applies, including the landlord’s repairing obligations (except in rare cases where it does not apply)
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Confirmation that Section 9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 applies, meaning the property must be fit for human habitation
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A summary of the landlord’s obligations under gas and electrical safety regulations
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A summary of obligations to allow reasonable disability-related adaptations under the Equality Act
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A summary of the new legal provisions relating to pets
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An explanation if the tenancy is being granted as supported accommodation
The intention is to ensure tenants receive clear, consistent information about their rights and responsibilities at the very start of the tenancy.
What About Existing Tenancies?
For existing tenancies that are wholly or partly in writing, landlords will not be required to issue a new written statement of terms.
Instead, landlords and agents must serve a government-issued Information Sheet, which will summarise tenants’ rights under the new Act. This leaflet is expected to be published alongside the final statutory instrument, currently anticipated in March 2026.
What Landlords and Agents Should Do Now
The move from draft legislation to published guidance signals that reform is shifting from theory to day-to-day compliance.
Landlords are advised to:
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Review and update tenancy agreements and onboarding documents
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Understand the additional disclosures now required by law
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Ensure internal processes are ready well in advance of 1 May 2026
Where landlords rely on letting agents to issue documentation on their behalf, it is essential that:
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Clear written authority is in place
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Agents fully understand their responsibilities and timescales
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Proper evidence is retained to demonstrate compliance
Failure to comply with the new requirements could expose landlords and agents to significant financial penalties, including fines of up to £7,000.
Preparing for May 2026
While some details remain subject to final confirmation, the direction of travel is clear. Greater transparency at the outset of a tenancy is intended to reduce disputes, improve tenant understanding, and raise standards across the private rented sector.
Landlords and agents who begin preparing now will be best placed to adapt smoothly when the Renters’ Rights Act comes fully into force on 1 May 2026.