RRA 2025 Update - Government publishes Statutory Instrument for Written Statement of Terms.

The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms, etc. and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 have been published by the government.

What does this mean?

For all existing tenancies created before 1st May 2026, landlords will not be required to issue a new tenancy agreement if an agreement already exists in writing. The landlord, will, however, be required to provide tenants with a copy of the ‘Information Sheet’ published by the government on or before 31 May 2026. The ‘Information Sheet’ must be given to all tenants named on a tenancy agreement and their guarantors, and can be provided electronically or in hard copy format.

The government have advised that the ‘Information Sheet’ will be published in March 2026.

New Tenancies

For tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026, tenants must be issued with the ‘Written Statement of Terms and Information’. This will also apply to any verbal agreement entered into before 1 May 2026.

The draft Statutory Instrument published by the government provides a draft list of information that must be included in the ‘Written Statement of Terms and Information’ as follows:-

1. Names and Contact Details of the Parties

• Landlord name(s) — if there are joint landlords, each must be named.

• Tenant name(s) — all named tenants must be named

• An address in England or Wales for service of notice by the tenant

2. Property and tenancy start date

• Address of the property being let.

• Start date of tenancy.  

3. Rent, Deposit, Utilities and Communication Services

• The amount of rent payable

• The rent due date & frequency

• Reference to the rent increase mechanism under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025

• Utilities, council tax, television licence, communication services and whether included or not in the rent amount

• Tenancy deposit amount and terms under the Housing Act 2004

4. Tenant Notice

• The tenant notice period of 2 months to be served in writing, in line with a rent date/anniversary date

5. Reference to Section 8 Notice & Grounds for Possession

6. Safety Matters & Landlord’s Statutory Obligations

The ‘Written Statement of Terms and Information’ must include reference to the :-

• Fitness for human habitation obligations under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act.

• Sections 11 - 16 of the LTA 1985

• Electrical Safety Regulations, Gas Safety Regulations, Fire Safety Regulations, reference to other safety matters, including but not limited to, oil heating, legionella testing

6. Additional Information

• Consent granted to keep pets, along with relevant terms

• Reasonable adjustments for disabilities

When a new tenancy is created, on or after 1 May 2026, the tenant must be provided with the ‘Written Statement of Terms’ must be given to the tenant before the tenancy is agreed. This can either be included in the tenancy agreement itself or provided as a separate written document.

Failure to Comply

Landlords and agents acting on behalf of a landlord who fail to provide a compliant written statement will face enforcement action.

For further information, register for our short courses contact

laurengreen@guild-let.co.uk