Government sets out what must be included in tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act
The government has published details of the information landlords will be required to include in new tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act.
While the guidance is still in draft form and could change slightly, a final version is expected in March and is unlikely to be significantly different before the Act comes into force on 1 May.
It has also been confirmed that landlords will not need to replace existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, they will be required to give current tenants a separate government-issued information sheet explaining the changes introduced by the Act. This will be published in March and must be served on existing tenants by 31 May.
What must be included in new tenancy agreements
All new tenancy agreements will need to contain a written statement of terms and information, including:
- The name of the landlord (including all joint landlords) and the names of all tenants
- An address in England or Wales where notices can be served on the landlord
- The address of the property being let
- The date the tenant is entitled to take possession of the property
- The rent amount and when it is due
- A statement confirming that rent increases must be made using a Section 13 notice
- Details of any bills included in the rent
- Details of any bills payable to the landlord in addition to the rent, such as utilities
- The amount of the deposit, if one is taken
Much of this information already appears in most tenancy agreements. However, the Renters’ Rights Act introduces several new requirements, including:
- A statement confirming that tenants have the right to request a pet and that landlords must not unreasonably refuse consent
- The minimum notice period a tenant must give to end the tenancy, usually two months
- A statement confirming the landlord’s duty to ensure the property is fit for human habitation
- A statement setting out the landlord’s obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
- A statement covering the landlord’s responsibilities under the Electrical Safety Regulations
- Where gas is present, a statement outlining obligations under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations
Fines for non-compliance
Landlords and letting agents who fail to provide tenants with the required information could face enforcement action, including fines.
The written statement of terms and information must be provided for all new tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026. It will also apply to existing tenancies that began as verbal agreements before that date. In these cases, the information must be supplied before the tenancy is agreed or formalised. The details can either be included within a written tenancy agreement or provided separately.
The list of required information has been published as part of a draft Statutory Instrument and may still change slightly before the final version is released in March.
Existing tenancy agreements don’t need replacing
For tenancies created before 1 May 2026, landlords will not need to issue a new tenancy agreement or amend an existing one, provided a written agreement is already in place.
Instead, landlords must supply all named tenants with the government’s official information sheet explaining the changes brought in by the Renters’ Rights Act. This must be provided by 31 May 2026 and can be issued either electronically or in hard copy.
Older, non-compliant agreements should not be used
Landlords are being advised to ensure they do not continue using older tenancy agreements that do not meet the new requirements once the Act comes into force.
From 1 May 2026 onwards, tenancy agreements must reflect the updated legal requirements. Failing to do so is likely to result in penalties. For existing written tenancies, however, landlords can continue using the current agreement as long as the official government information sheet is provided to tenants on time.
Are Your Tenancy Agreements Act-Ready?
The Renters’ Rights Act will significantly change what landlords must include in tenancy agreements from 1 May 2026 and non-compliance could result in enforcement action and fines.
If you’re unsure whether your current agreements meet the new requirements, or you want to prepare compliant documentation ahead of time, our property law team can help. We advise landlords and letting agents on updating tenancy agreements, serving the correct statutory information, and ensuring a smooth transition when the new rules come into force.
To discuss how these changes affect you and to make sure you’re fully prepared, get in touch with us today at info@wyn.legal.
