From 1 May 2026, landlords in the private rented sector will be required to provide tenants with prescribed information relating to the key terms of their periodic assured tenancy. This information may be set out within the tenancy agreement itself or provided in a separate written statement, but in both cases must be given to the tenant before the agreement is signed.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published a draft statutory instrument under section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 as inserted by section 12 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 - The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 - which specifies the information that must be given to tenants. The instrument remains in draft form and may still be amended. However, it offers a useful indication of the likely requirements and gives landlords and practitioners time to update existing tenancy templates and prepare new agreements where required.

Pre- v post-May 2026 tenancies and non-compliance

Tenancies entered into before 1 May 2026 are outside the scope of the new regulation. However, landlords will still be required to provide those tenants with an information sheet (expected to be published in March 2026 alongside the final statutory instrument), setting out how the forthcoming legislative changes may affect their tenancy. This information must be given to tenants by 31 May 2026.

Where a tenancy has not been documented, the landlord will not be able to issue the information sheet and will instead be required to formalise the tenancy in writing to ensure compliance. 

Non-compliance with the new regulations may result in local authority enforcement action, including fines of up to £7,000.

What information must be provided?

The written statement must include:

1. The name of the landlord (and any joint landlords where applicable).
2. The name of the tenant (and any joint tenants where applicable).
3. An address in England or Wales at which the landlord may be served with notices.
4. The address of the property let under the tenancy.
5. The date from which the tenant is entitled to possession.
6. The rent payable and any payment dates.
7. A statement confirming that any rent increase will be notified to the tenant in accordance with section 13 of the Housing Act 1988.
8. For bill payments (e.g. utility, council tax, television licence etc.), a statement confirming whether they are included within the rent or payable separately. Where bills are payable in addition to the rent, the statement must set out the amount due, the date each payment falls due, and, in both cases, explain when and how the tenant will be notified of the amount and payment date.
9. If a deposit is required under section 213 of the Housing Act 2004, the amount of the deposit.
10. If section 5(1) of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 (notices to quit by tenants under assured tenancies) applies, the minimum notice period required from the tenant to quit.
11. If section 5 of the Housing Act 1988 (security of tenure) applies, a statement confirming that the landlord may only end the tenancy by obtaining a possession order from the court. It must also explain that, before applying to the court, the landlord is required to serve a prescribed notice on the tenant setting out the intended proceedings and the ground for possession. The applicable ground will determine the minimum notice period that must be given before proceedings can commence.
12. If section 9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 (fitness for human habitation of dwellings in the England) applies, a statement that the landlord is obliged to ensure the property is fit for human habitation.
13. Where section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 applies, a statement confirming that the landlord is responsible for:
    1. keeping the structure and exterior of the property in repair;
    2. maintaining installations for water, gas, electricity and sanitation in proper working order; and
    3. keeping installations for space heating and hot water in repair and working order. Section 11 will not apply if a county court order under section 12(2) of the 1985 Act excludes or modifies the landlord’s obligations, or if the property is within premises managed by an RTM company.
14. Where regulation 3 of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 applies, a statement confirming that the landlord is required to:
    1. ensure electrical safety standards are met throughout the tenancy;
    2. have the property’s electrical installations inspected and tested by a qualified electrician at least every five years (or sooner if required); and
    3. obtain an inspection report confirming the results and the date of the next inspection, and provide a copy of that report to the tenant.
15. Where applicable (where there is a relevant gas fitting installed at or serving the property to which the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 apply), a statement confirming that the landlord is required to:
    1. ensure all gas fittings and associated flues are properly maintained and safe;
    2. have each gas appliance and flue checked at prescribed intervals by an approved person; and
    3. keep a record of all safety checks and provide a copy of that record to the tenant.
16. Information about section 190 of the Equality Act 2010, which states that a landlord must not unreasonably refuse consent for disability‑related improvements that help a disabled person better enjoy the property. This duty applies unless the tenancy already includes equivalent provisions. The requirement only applies where the tenancy is not a protected or statutory tenancy, and the tenant is permitted, with landlord consent, to make such improvements.
17. A statement confirming that, in accordance with section 16A of the Housing Act 1988, the tenant may keep a pet at the property if they request permission and the landlord consents, with such consent not to be unreasonably refused.
18. If the tenancy is granted as a tenancy of supported accommodation (as defined), a statement to that effect and an explanation of why the tenancy is granted as such.

A step in the right direction

Section 12 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 marks a substantial shift toward standardising and improving transparency within the private rented sector. By prescribing exactly what information must be provided to tenants at the outset of a tenancy, the regulation aims to reduce ambiguity, minimise disputes and ensure that tenants have a clear understanding of their rights and obligations from day one. 

What should you be doing now?

With May fast approaching, landlords and practitioners should begin updating their tenancy documentation and internal procedures now to avoid the risk of non‑compliance and potential enforcement action.