Renters’ Rights Act: Wording Confirmed for New Tenancy Agreements

Renters’ Rights Act: Wording Confirmed for New Tenancy Agreements

The Government has now confirmed the exact wording that must be included in new tenancy agreements under the Renters’ Rights Act — a key step towards the Act’s implementation later this year.

From 1 May, landlords will be legally required to provide tenants with a written statement of terms containing specific mandatory information before a tenancy begins. Draft secondary legislation has now been published, giving landlords and agents the opportunity to prepare updated tenancy agreements in advance.

If you let property in England or Wales, this is something you need to be ready for.

What information must be included in a written statement?

For an assured periodic tenancy, the written statement must include the following mandatory details:

Basic tenancy details

• The full name of the landlord, including all joint landlords

• The full names of all tenants

• An address in England or Wales where notices can be served on the landlord

• The address of the rented property

• The date the tenant is entitled to take possession

Rent and payments

• The rent amount and when it is due

• A statement confirming that rent increases must be made using a Section 13 notice

• Details of whether utilities, council tax, TV licence, or communication services are:

  • included in the rent, or

  • payable separately by the tenant
    If payable separately, the agreement must explain how and when payment is made, or how the tenant will be notified

Deposits and notice

• If a deposit is taken, the amount paid (but not which scheme it is protected in)

• The minimum notice period the tenant must give to end the tenancy

  • This will usually be two months, but landlords may allow a shorter period if they wish

Possession and legal rights

A statement confirming that:

• A landlord can normally only end an assured tenancy via a court order

• To obtain a court order, the landlord will usually need to serve a Section 8 Notice using the prescribed form

• The notice period depends on the grounds for possession relied upon

Property standards and safety obligations

In most cases, statements confirming the landlord’s obligations regarding:

• Fitness for human habitation

• Repairs and maintenance under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

• Electrical safety regulations

• Gas safety regulations, where gas is present

Equality, pets, and special tenancies

• Information about Section 190 of the Equality Act, confirming that landlords must not unreasonably refuse consent for disability-related adaptations

• A statement confirming that tenants may request a pet, and that landlords must not unreasonably refuse consent

• If the tenancy is supported accommodation, a statement confirming this and explaining why it meets the criteria

How do landlords provide this information?

For tenancies starting on or after 1 May, this information will normally be built into the assured periodic tenancy agreement itself, meaning no separate document is required.

However, landlords may still choose to issue it separately if they wish.

It is essential that landlords download and use an updated tenancy agreement before issuing any new tenancies.

⚠️ Using an outdated tenancy template after 1 May could result in enforcement action, as it would fail to meet the new legal requirements.

What happens if the information isn’t provided?

Failing to provide the required written statement is a breach of the Renters’ Rights Act.

Local authorities will have the power to issue civil penalties, which are expected to be:

• Around £4,000 per breach, and

• Potentially higher for repeated or serious failures

This is not an area landlords can afford to overlook.

What about existing tenancies?

If a tenancy is already in writing, landlords will not need to issue a new tenancy agreement or rewritten statement.

Instead:

• The Government will publish an official information sheet in March

• This must be served on all existing tenants by 31 May, explaining how the new rules affect their tenancy

Final thoughts

The confirmation of this wording removes much of the uncertainty around tenancy documentation under the Renters’ Rights Act. While the changes are detailed, they are manageable — provided landlords act early and use the correct paperwork.

If you’re unsure whether your current tenancy agreements are compliant, now is the time to review them. Getting this wrong could be costly, while getting it right ensures a smoother transition when the Act comes into force.