Over recent months, there has been a lot of commentary around the Renters’ Rights Act and what it will mean for landlords in England. Following the Government’s publication of draft secondary legislation, we now have clearer direction on how tenancy agreements must be structured going forward.
While any regulatory change can feel unsettling, this update is best understood as a formalisation of information most landlords already provide, rather than a radical overhaul of how tenancies operate. The key change is that, from May 2026, the wording and timing of this information will matter more than ever.
What has the Government confirmed?
The Government has published draft legislation setting out the mandatory information landlords must provide in a Written Statement of Terms and Information for assured periodic tenancies.
From 1 May 2026, this information must be provided to tenants before a tenancy is entered into. In most cases, this will simply form part of an updated tenancy agreement, rather than a separate document.
The intention is to create consistency across the private rented sector and to ensure tenants clearly understand the key terms of their tenancy from the outset.
Landlords can review the Government’s updates and draft legislation on gov.uk, including guidance linked to the Renters’ Rights Act and forthcoming regulations (for example, “Renters’ Rights Act: guidance for landlords” and related draft statutory instruments published by the Government).
What information must be included?
The Written Statement must include a defined set of information about the tenancy. This covers the names of the landlord or landlords and all tenants, an address in England or Wales where notices can be served on the landlord, and the full address of the property along with the date the tenant is entitled to possession.
It must also clearly set out the rent, including when it is due and how any increases can be made (through the Section 13 process), as well as details of what is included in the rent and what is paid separately, such as utilities, council tax or other charges. Where a deposit is taken, the amount of the security deposit must be stated, alongside the minimum notice period the tenant is required to give.
In addition, the statement must explain how a landlord can seek possession under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988 and confirm the landlord’s legal responsibilities. This includes obligations relating to repairs, safety and fitness for human habitation, gas and electrical safety requirements where applicable, Equality Act provisions around reasonable adjustments, and the tenant’s right to request a pet.
Although this may sound extensive, most of this information already appears in professionally drafted tenancy agreements. The key difference is that the wording will now be prescribed in law, increasing the importance of using the correct documentation.
How should landlords provide this information?
For tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026, landlords can comply by:
- Including the required wording directly within the tenancy agreement, or
- Providing it as a separate written statement before the tenancy is agreed
In reality, most landlords will choose to use an updated tenancy agreement template that already incorporates the required wording. Industry bodies such as the NRLA have confirmed that updated agreements will be made available ahead of the deadline.
Continuing to use outdated tenancy templates beyond May 2026 could leave landlords unintentionally non-compliant.
What happens if the information isn’t provided?
Failing to provide the required Written Statement will constitute a breach of the Renters’ Rights Act.
Local authorities will have the power to issue civil penalties, with higher penalties possible for repeat breaches.
It is worth noting that enforcement action in the private rented sector is increasingly linked to administrative oversights rather than serious misconduct, which makes early preparation particularly important.
What about existing tenancies?
For tenancies already in place where a written agreement exists, landlords will not be required to issue a new tenancy agreement.
Instead, landlords must provide tenants with a Government-issued Information Sheet outlining the relevant Renters’ Rights Act changes. This document is expected to be published on gov.uk in March 2026 and must be served on existing tenants no later than 31 May 2026.
This creates an additional compliance deadline alongside existing obligations such as safety certification, licensing and deposit protection.
As the regulations are currently in draft form, the final wording may change slightly before implementation.
This article is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlords should always refer to the latest Government guidance published on gov.uk and seek professional advice where appropriate.
What this means for landlords?
From our perspective at Address Properties, this change should be seen as a manageable compliance update, not a reason for concern.
Landlords who:
- Use up-to-date tenancy documentation
- Keep clear records
- Take professional advice where needed
will be well placed to adapt smoothly.
As managing agents, our role is to help landlords stay ahead of regulatory change, reduce risk and ensure tenancies are set up correctly from day one. As further guidance and final regulations are published by the Government, we will continue to review our processes and documentation to ensure our landlords remain compliant.
If you would like support reviewing your tenancy agreements or preparing for the Renters’ Rights Act changes ahead of May 2026, the team at Address Properties would be happy to help.