The government has set out what landlords will be required to include in tenancy agreements under the upcoming Renters’ Rights Act, offering greater clarity ahead of its introduction.
Although the details have been published in draft form and could still be adjusted, ministers expect only minor changes before the final version is confirmed. The Act is scheduled to come into force on 1 May, with the final statutory wording due to be published in March.
Importantly, the government has confirmed that landlords will not need to rewrite existing written tenancy agreements. Instead, landlords with current tenants will be required to provide an official government information sheet explaining the changes introduced by the Act. This document must be issued to tenants no later than 31 May and will also be published in March.
What must be included in new tenancy agreements
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, all new tenancy agreements will need to contain a standard set of mandatory information. Much of this will already be familiar to landlords, but the government has added several new requirements.
The required information includes the full name of the landlord, including any joint landlords, as well as the names of all tenants. The agreement must also provide an address in England or Wales where tenants can formally serve notices to the landlord.
Landlords must clearly state the address of the rented property, the date the tenant has the right to take possession, the amount of rent payable, and when rent is due. The agreement must also confirm that any rent increase must follow the formal Section 13 notice process.
Details of what is included within the rent must be set out, alongside any additional charges payable to the landlord, such as utilities. If a deposit is required, the amount must also be clearly stated.
New additions under the Renters’ Rights Act
Alongside these standard terms, the government has introduced several new statements that must now appear in tenancy agreements.
These include confirmation that tenants have the right to request a pet under Section 16A of the Housing Act 1988, and that landlords cannot refuse such requests unreasonably. Agreements must also specify the minimum notice period tenants must give when ending a tenancy, which is typically two months.
Landlords must also confirm their legal responsibilities, including ensuring the property is fit for human habitation. The agreement must outline obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, as well as compliance with electrical safety regulations. Where gas is supplied, landlords must also confirm their duties under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.
Risk of fines for non-compliance
Propertymark has warned landlords and letting agents that failing to provide the required information could result in enforcement action.
Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s head of policy and campaigns, said landlords entering into new tenancies on or after 1 May 2026 must ensure tenants receive a compliant written statement of terms and information. This requirement also applies to existing tenancies that were originally agreed verbally before that date.
He explained that the required information must be provided before the tenancy begins and can either be included within the tenancy agreement itself or supplied as a separate document. Failure to do so may lead to fines or other penalties.
Douglas also highlighted that the list of required information has been published as part of a draft statutory instrument and remains subject to final confirmation in March.
Existing tenancy agreements will not need rewriting
Following feedback from the sector, the government has clarified that landlords will not be forced to replace or reissue tenancy agreements that are already in writing.
Instead, landlords with existing tenancies created before 1 May 2026 must give tenants the official government information sheet outlining the changes under the Renters’ Rights Act. This must be provided to all named tenants by 31 May 2026, either electronically or in paper form.
Douglas added that while the written statement includes an address for serving notices, it should ideally also include agent details where applicable. He also suggested the document should be adaptable in future to include a landlord’s unique identifier linked to the private rented sector database.
Warning against using outdated agreements
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) has also cautioned landlords against continuing to use older, non-compliant tenancy agreements once the new rules take effect.
An NRLA spokesperson said the Renters’ Rights Act introduces significant changes from 1 May 2026, making it essential for landlords to ensure any new agreements meet the updated legal requirements. Using outdated contracts could leave landlords exposed to fines.
However, the NRLA confirmed that landlords with existing written agreements will not be expected to draft new contracts. Their responsibility will instead be to supply tenants with the government’s official information sheet explaining the new rules.
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