Renters’ Rights Act: mandatory tenancy information landlords must provide from 1 May 2026

From 1 May 2026, landlords in England will have to provide tenants with written information about key terms and specified statutory matters before a tenancy is agreed. This information can be included in the tenancy agreement or provided as a separate written statement.

For new tenancies granted on or after 1 May 2026, the full written statement must be provided at the outset.

For existing assured shorthold tenancies, which will automatically convert into assured periodic tenancies on that date, landlords will not need to re-issue tenancy terms, but will instead be required to give tenants a government-prescribed information sheet explaining the new legal framework by 31 May 2026.

The Government has published draft regulations setting out the required content, which may still change before being finalised.

The written statement must include:

1. Landlord name
2. Tenant name
3. An address for service of notices on the landlord
4. The property address
5. Start date of the tenancy
6. The rent amount and when it is payable
7. A statement that rent increases must be proposed using the statutory section 13 process
8. If the tenant is charged for utility bills:
   • whether the payment is included in the rent or payable in addition, and
   • if payable in addition, either the amounts and due dates or how and when the tenant will be told
9. The tenancy deposit amount
10. The minimum notice period the tenant must give to end the tenancy
11. An explanation that the landlord will usually need a court order to recover possession and must serve a prescribed notice stating the grounds, which determine the notice period
12. Statements explaining:
    • the landlord’s duty to keep the home fit for human habitation
    • the landlord’s statutory repairing obligations
    • the landlord’s electrical safety duties
    • the landlord’s gas safety duties
    • the tenant may request certain disability-related improvements, and that consent must not be unreasonably withheld
    • the tenant may request to keep a pet and that consent must not be unreasonably refused

We will be publishing a series of blogs over the coming weeks covering the key elements of the reforms, including the courts and tribunal modernisation programme, the abolition of section 21 and fixed terms, the new statutory preconditions for possession orders, the revised framework for rent increases and rent challenges, the national PRS database and mandatory redress scheme, the introduction of a Decent Homes Standard, and the strengthened rights and protections available to renters.

If you have questions about the issues discussed in this article, or require advice in relation to the Renters’ Rights Act, please contact a member of our Real Estate Disputes team or your usual Brodies contact.