The Government has published draft regulations setting out new obligations for private landlords in England to provide assured tenants with prescribed written information from 1 May 2026. 

‘Private landlords’ in the regulations and throughout this blog include private registered provider landlords (PRPs) in relation to any market rent lettings of residential dwellings.

These regulations, once finalised, forming part of the wider reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (the 2025 Act), are made under both new section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 (the 1988 Act) (as amended by section 12 of the 2025 Act) and paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 6 to the 2025 Act. They require prescribed information to be provided to new periodic assured tenants and existing tenants whose tenancies convert to periodic assured tenancies from 1 May 2026.

The regulations introduce a formal requirement for private landlords to provide a written statement of terms to:

• new assured tenants from 1 May 2026;
• existing tenants whose tenancy agreements become assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026, and who do not have a written tenancy agreement; and
• provide a government-produced information sheet to existing tenants whose tenancy agreements become assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026, who have a written tenancy agreement. 

What is changing for new tenancies?

From 1 May 2026, under section 16D of the 1988 Act, private landlords who grant new assured tenancies will be legally required to supply tenants with a written statement of terms before the tenancy is entered into. 

What information must be provided to new assured tenants from 1 May 2025?

The draft regulations list the information that must be set out in the written statement of terms. This includes:

• the names of the landlord and tenant(s);
• the landlord’s service address in England or Wales;
• the property address;
• the rent amount and payment dates;
• rent increase provisions under section 13 of the 1988 Act;
• details of any bills payable to the landlord as part of or in addition to the rent;
• the amount of any tenancy deposit;
• the tenant’s minimum notice requirements to end the tenancy;
• statements about possession proceedings; and
• statutory obligations, including repairing duties, electrical and gas safety, fitness for habitation, and relevant equality duties.

Private landlords may include this information within the tenancy agreement or provide it as a standalone written document.

When must the written statement of terms be provided to new assured tenants?

Private landlords must give the written statement of terms to tenants for any new periodic assured tenancy entered into on or after 1 May 2026, before the tenancy agreement is signed or the tenancy terms are otherwise agreed.

This means that the written statement of terms will form part of a landlord’s pre‑sign up obligations.

Requirements for existing tenancies 

The regulations will also impose duties on private landlords to provide information to existing tenants whose tenancies convert to periodic assured tenancies from 1 May 2026 in accordance with paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 6 to the 2025 Act.

The information to be provided will depend on whether the existing tenant has a written tenancy agreement or a tenancy agreement that is not in writing (i.e. an oral tenancy agreement). 

Existing tenants who have a written tenancy agreement which started before 1 May 2026

Where a tenant already has a written tenancy agreement, private landlords do not need to issue the full written statement of terms. Instead, landlords must provide tenants with the Government’s information sheet, which explains the effect of the 2025 Act on the tenant’s tenancy agreement. The Government has indicated that the information sheet will be published in March 2026 and will form part of the final version of the regulations. 

When must the information sheet be provided to existing tenants with a written tenancy agreement?

Private landlords must issue the information sheet to all existing tenants who have a written tenancy agreement and whose tenancies convert to periodic assured tenancies on 1 May 2026 by 31 May 2026. 

Existing tenants who only have an oral tenancy agreement which started before 1 May 2026 

Where a tenant has no written tenancy agreement, private landlords must issue tenants with the full written statement of terms under section 16D of the 1988 Act. 

When must the written statement of terms be provided to existing tenants with no written tenancy agreement?

Private landlords must issue the full written statement of terms to all existing tenants with no written tenancy agreement whose tenancies convert to periodic assured tenancies on 1 May 2026 by 31 May 2026.

Enforcement

Local authorities may investigate tenant complaints and issue civil penalties up to £7,000 for failure to provide the written statement of terms or for relevant existing written tenancies, the Government’s information sheet. 

What should private landlords do now?

Given the potential penalties and administrative requirements, early preparation is essential. Private landlords should begin preparing by:

• reviewing and updating tenancy agreement templates;
• establishing internal processes to issue the written statement of terms before signing up new tenancies;
• identifying all existing tenancies and categorising them to identify whether to issue the written statement of terms or the Government’s information sheet;
• planning how to distribute the written statement of terms or the Government’s information sheet during May 2026.

Need support preparing for the new requirements?

If you would like assistance reviewing or updating your tenancy agreement templates to ensure compliance with the final version of the regulations or with the 2025 Act generally (including new forms of periodic assured tenancy to use from 1 May 2026), do get in touch.  

Our housing management team can provide tailored advice, new tenancy agreements or tenancy agreement reviews and compliance guidance to help you prepare for the changes coming into force from 1 May 2026.

For more information, please contact Penny Bournes.