Renters’ Rights Act 2025: What landlords need to know about the new requirements

As the implementation date for the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (RRA) approaches on 1 May 2026, we expect further details from the Government on the steps landlords must take to comply with the new regime, particularly the prescribed information to be provided to both new and existing tenants.

The Government has released a draft of the statutory instrument setting out the required written statement of terms for new residential tenancies. Although the final form will not be published until March and may change before implementation, it is nevertheless useful for landlords and their advisors to have sight of a draft now, in readiness for implementation on 1st May 2026.

Below is a summary of the information landlords will need to provide to both existing and new tenants.

Existing tenancies (Assured Shorthold Tenancies entered into before 1 May 2026)

Landlords of existing Assured Shorthold Tenancies (AST) entered into before 1 May 2026 will not be required to provide a written statement of terms. Instead, they will be required to provide each named tenant in the tenancy agreement with an information sheet, which will outline key changes introduced by the RRA and how the tenancy will be affected.

• The form of Information Sheet will be published by the Government in March 2026.
• Landlords will have until 31 May 2026 to provide all existing tenants with a copy of the information sheet.
• All existing ASTs will convert into Assured Periodic Tenancies on 1 May 2026. It will not be necessary for the parties to enter into a new tenancy agreement.

New Assured Periodic Tenancies (from 1 May 2026)

Landlords entering to new Assured Periodic Tenancies (APT) on or after 1 May 2026 will be required to provide the tenant(s) with a written statement of terms before the tenancy is entered into.

This can be a separate document or included in the tenancy agreement. Landlords that fail to provide the statement may be liable to payment of a fine of up to £7000.

What must be included in the written statement of terms?

The draft regulations specify the following required information.

Parties:

• Full names of each landlord and tenant.
• An address in England or Wales for each party, to be used as an address for service.

Property:

• The address of the property to be let.

Start date:

• The start date of the tenancy.

Rent:

• The rent payable by the tenant and the rent payment dates (rent period not to be more than a calendar month).
• A statement that any proposal to increase the rent must be accompanied by notice as set required by s13 of the Housing Act 1988.

Bills:

If the tenant is required to make payments the landlord in addition to the rent, the statement must include:

• the amount of each payment or an explanation of when and how the tenant will be notified of each payment; and
• when each payment is due or an explanation of how the tenant will be notified of the date for payment.

Deposit:

• The amount of any deposit paid by the tenant.

Tenant possession:

• The minimum notice period that the tenant must give when serving notice to quit the property.

Landlord possession:

A statement that:

• the landlord can only end the tenancy by obtaining an order for possession (and execution of the order);
• the landlord must serve a prescribed notice setting out the relevant grounds for possession; and
• the notice period to be given will depend on the ground relied upon.

Fitness for human habitation:

• A statement of the landlord’s obligations under s9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Repairs:

A statement of the landlord’s obligations under s11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to:

• keep the structure and exterior of the premises in repair (including drains, gutters and external pipes);
• keep the installations in the property for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and toilets, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity) in repair and working order; and
• keep the installations in the property for space heating and heating water in repair and proper working order.

Electrical Safety:

A statement of the landlord’s obligations to:

• ensure that relevant electrical safety standards are met during the tenancy;
• ensure that relevant electrical installations are tested at least every 5 years (or earlier if the most recent report gives an earlier date);
• ensure that the tenant is supplied with a copy of the inspection and test.

Gas Safety:

A statement of the landlord’s obligations to:

• ensure that gas fittings/flues are maintained in a safe condition, and checked at appropriate intervals;
• ensure that the tenant is supplied with a copy of the inspection and test.

Equality Act 2010:

• A statement setting out the tenant’s rights to apply to make disability related improvements to the property as provided in s190 of the Equality Act 2010.

Pets:

• A statement that the tenant may keep a pet subject to the application process set out in s16A of the Housing Act and that the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse consent.

Practical considerations for landlords

The draft regulations do not provide an “oven ready” statement of terms but instead set out relatively lengthy details of the prescribed content. While the provision of the written statement of terms should not present significant difficulty for landlords, it will be important that the information is presented clearly, accurately set out, and ideally integrated into the tenancy agreement itself and that landlords are also mindful of the requirement to provide existing tenants with the prescribed information sheet.

Source:
The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Secor) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 (Draft published 19 January)
Renting out your property: guidance for landlords and letting agents – Tenancy agreements: written information for your tenant – Guidance – GOV.UK