Renters’ Rights Act 2025: Written statements now required from Landlords
Whilst the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces a flurry of new obligations for private landlords from 1 May 2026, the requirement to provide written statements and the government-produced information sheet are perhaps the most pressing concerns for landlords in England.
These new legal requirements are far-reaching and require the written statement of terms to be provided for any new assured tenancies granted by private landlords after 1 May 2026, or for pre-existing oral tenancies, and the information sheet to be provided for all other existing assured tenancies in England.
Solicitor in our real estate dispute resolution team, Ella Johnson, explains what landlords need to do in light of the new requirements.
New assured tenancies
The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will introduce section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 which applies to new assured tenancies in England granted on or after 1 May 2026.
Section 16D states that private landlords must give the tenant a written statement of terms before the tenancy is entered into.
The most practical way to adhere to this requirement is to include all the necessary terms and information in the tenancy agreement, so that the tenant can review it prior to entering the tenancy.
The relevant information can be found in The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 and includes, but is not limited to:
- Names of the parties entering the tenancy and the property address
- Address for service on the landlord in England and Wales
- Rent payable under the tenancy
- Statements explaining that the landlord is under a statutory obligation to:
o serve notice of any rent increase
o ensure the property is fit for human habitation
o ensure that certain parts of the property are kept in repair and proper working order
o ensure the property is compliant with the relevant gas and electrical safety standards
Private landlords utilising precedent tenancy agreements should make sure that from 1 May 2026, the form of tenancy agreement they are using includes the information required by 16D of the Housing Act 1988.
Existing assured tenancies
Pursuant to Paragraph 7 Schedule 6 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 for tenancies that are already in existence as of 1 May 2026 and are fully or partially in writing, landlords will be required to serve a government-produced Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 (Information Sheet). The Information Sheet is available on the government website here. This exact version of the Information Sheet must be provided to every tenant named on any tenancy agreement in England.
The Information Sheet can be provided via post or email. We would recommend that landlords evidence service and keep records that this requirement has been complied with.
For tenancies made wholly or partly in writing, the Information Sheet must be provided 31 May 2026.
The rules differ slightly for tenancies made wholly orally. Where an assured tenancy is active, but no written record exists, the obligation set out above under Section 16D applies, requiring landlords to provide a written statement of terms. As the tenancy is already active, tenants cannot provide this before the tenancy is entered into, so instead, they must do so by 31 May 2026.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Non-compliance with the new requirements may result in civil penalties from local authorities in England.
Recently published government guidance suggests that failure to provide the Information Sheet before 31 May 2026 and failing to issue a written statement of terms within 28 days of an assured tenancy coming into existence may result in a fine. The starting point for fines for breaches of these requirements is £4,000, but these could rise to £7,000 in certain circumstances and could reach £40,000 for multiple breaches.
If you are feeling unsure of the new information requirements or the impact of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 generally, please contact Ella via [email protected] or 0191 2117992.