Renters’ Rights Act: New Written Statement of Terms Explained

A new week and a new update to the progress of the Renters’ Rights Act. On 19th January 2026, the government published the wording for a new written statement and information required before a tenancy agreement is signed on or after 1st May 2026.

What is the Written Statement of Terms?

The Written Statement of Terms is a statement of terms of information issued by a landlord to a tenant before entering an assured period tenancy agreement on or after 1st May 2026. This change is a key legislation update as part of Section 12 of the Renters’ Rights Act.

The draft statutory instrument of the written statement can be found here. It is important to note that it is still a draft and it may change before it is likely to be passed in March 2026.

What needs to be in the Written Statement of Terms?

Contact details of parties
- Landlord name
- Tenant name
- An address in England or Wales where notices can be served on the landlord by the tenant.

Property details & tenancy start date
- Address of the property being let
- Start date of the tenancy

Financial terms
- Amount of rent payable by the tenant to the landlord
- Date the rent is due
- A statement explaining that if the landlord makes a new proposal to increase the rent under the tenancy, the landlord must serve a notice on the tenant in accordance with section 13 of the 1988 Act (increases of rent under assured tenancies other than relevant low-cost tenancies).
- Relevant bills & utilities – in the case where a landlord charges a tenant for bills. The written statement should clearly outline whether these costs are included, and, if not, how and when the tenant should be notified of additional payments if the costs are in addition to the monthly rent payment.
- Tenancy deposit amount

Notice
- The minimum notice a tenant must provide when giving a notice to quit the property.
- Possession by a landlord: In most circumstances, the landlord can only bring an end to the tenancy by obtaining an order of the court for possession of the property and the execution of the order

Safety & compliance
- Fitness & habitation statement explaining that the landlord is under an obligation to ensure the property is fit for human habitation, to the extent required by that section.
- Repair statement explaining the landlord’s duties for structure, exterior and installations in the property
- Electrical safety statement explaining that the landlord is under an obligation to ensure that relevant electrical safety standards are met during any period when the property is occupied under the tenancy, and that electrical installations in the property are inspected and tested by a qualified person (within the meaning of that regulation) at least every five years. The full report and inspection schedule should be provided to the tenant.
- Gas Safety statement explaining that the landlord is under an obligation to maintain in a safe condition any relevant gas fitting and any relevant flue which serves a relevant gas fitting, and maintain an annual gas safety and testing inspection

Additional Information
- Pet consent rights, including that consent must not be unreasonably withheld if the tenant requests to keep a pet.
- Disability adaptations.
- Supported accommodation status, where relevant.

When will it need to be issued, and how can it be issued?

The Written Statement of Terms must be provided when a new tenancy is created, on or after 1 May 2026. This will need to be done before a tenancy agreement is signed or a tenancy is otherwise agreed. The information can be provided within a written tenancy agreement or given separately.

The information can be provided in hard copy format or electronically.

Why is this important?

Failure to comply with this new requirement and responsibility as a landlord may result in civil penalties being issued by local authority powers, so it’s important to comply. This also applies to letting agents acting on behalf of the landlord.

Will this apply to existing tenancies?

If you have signed tenancies in place before 1st May 2026, you will not need to provide a new assured tenancy agreement or a written statement.

Instead, landlords with existing tenancies will need to provide tenants with a copy of the UK Government published ‘Information Sheet’ on or before 31 May 2026. The information sheet will be published in March 2026. The information sheet must be given to all tenants named on a tenancy agreement. It can be provided electronically or in hard copy.

In the situation where your current tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement, you’ll need to give your tenant a written record of the specific terms of the agreement. You will have to do this instead of providing the information sheet.

How can you get support?

Staying up to date with the progress of the Renters’ Rights Act is crucial to ensure you stay professional and compliant as a landlord. Attending live events in 2026, such as the National Landlord Investment Show, is critical to staying ahead as a landlord when navigating the Renters’ Rights Act. You can now get your free tickets to all live 2026 shows across the UK.

You don’t need to wait until the show to stay informed. Make sure you join the free Landlord Investment Show Community Hub for landlords, property investors and developers for Renters’ Rights Act support.