The government has now published details of the mandatory information it expects landlords (and agents acting for them) to provide to tenants under the Renters’ Rights Act.

While the regulations are expressly labelled as a draft and “may change”, the publication provides the clearest view to date of what compliance will look like in practice, and it should help landlords and agents finalise their documentation and processes ahead of the new start date.

When the requirement applies and who it affects

For new tenancies starting from 1 May 2026 onwards, landlords and their agents will need to provide a ‘Written Statement of Terms and Information’ before the tenancy is agreed (including before a written agreement is signed).

Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, explains “For new tenancies entered on or after 1 May 2026, tenants must be provided with the Written Statement of Terms and Information.

“Also, this applies to any current tenancies that are based on verbal agreements started before 1 May 2026.

“This will need to be done before a tenancy agreement is signed or otherwise agree the tenancy.

“The information can be provided within a written tenancy agreement or given separately. Failure to provide a compliant written statement can expose landlords and agents acting on their behalf to enforcement action, including a fine.”

What the written statement must include

Much of the content is familiar and will already appear in most professionally drafted tenancy agreements. The draft list includes basic tenancy particulars such as

  • The landlord(s)’s name(s).
  • The tenant(s)’ names.
  • The property address;
  • The date the tenant can first occupy the property.
  • The rent amount.
  • The date rent is due.
  • Any bills that are included in the rent.
  • Any bills payable to the landlord that are in addition to the rent (ie. for utilities).
  • The deposit amount if one is being taken.

In addition, the government expects a range of explanatory items that are not consistently set out in current agreements, or are only partially addressed. These are the areas most likely to require edits to template agreements and onboarding packs.

In practice, landlords and agents should expect to include information covering:

  • Tenant’s notice to end the tenancy.
  • Landlord’s route to possession (possession order and related notices).
  • Landlord’s repairing obligations.
  • Fitness for human habitation.
  • Summaries of electrical and gas safety duties.
  • The statutory rent increase route.
  • Disability adaptation obligations.
  • The new pet provisions.

If a tenancy is granted as supported accommodation, that will also need to be explained.

Why government-prescribed detail matters

The direction of travel is toward prescribed, upfront clarity about rights and responsibilities, particularly where misunderstandings commonly drive disputes later.

Eddie Hooker, head of redress at the Property Redress Scheme and chief executive of MyDeposits, says “This is the first time landlords and agents can see what compliance under the Renters Rights Act will look like in practice.

“The government has moved beyond high-level policy and set out the actual wording and detail that must be provided to tenants before a tenancy begins.

“From a deposit perspective, greater clarity at the outset of a tenancy is particularly important.

“Many of the disputes we handle relate to disagreements over responsibilities for cleaning, damage, maintenance or charges at the end of a tenancy.

“Clear, prescribed written information about obligations and liabilities should help reduce scope for dispute by ensuring both parties start the tenancy with the same understanding of what is expected.”

Existing tenancies and the separate information sheet

The draft regulations make a clear distinction between new compliance and the legacy position. For existing tenancies created before 1 May 2026, landlords will not generally need to issue a new tenancy agreement where a written agreement already exists.

However, landlords will still have an action to complete. As Timothy Douglas notes “For existing tenancies (created before 1 May 2026), landlords won’t need to change a current tenancy agreement if one is in place or issue a new one.

“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. This 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.”