Written statement of terms: what landlords must give tenants from 1 May 2026

From 1 May 2026 landlords in England must give tenants written information about key tenancy terms before the tenancy is agreed. Councils can fine up to £7,000 for failing to do it.

From 1 May 2026, landlords in England must give tenants certain written information about the key terms of the tenancy. MHCLG's guidance is direct about the consequence of not doing it: the tenant can complain to the local council, and the landlord can be fined up to £7,000.

When the information has to be given

The requirement applies when you create a new tenancy on or after 1 May 2026. The information must be given before you sign a tenancy agreement or otherwise agree the tenancy — not afterwards.

You can include it inside a written tenancy agreement, or give it separately. Either is acceptable; what matters is that the tenant has it before the tenancy is agreed.

What has to be included

MHCLG published the list of required information on 20 March 2026 as "Written information that must be given to tenants — landlord guidance". An earlier draft was published on 24 February 2026 and small changes were made before the final version, so if you built a template from the February draft it is worth checking it against the final list.

The legal basis is the Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026.

Existing tenants: the Information Sheet instead

You do not need to provide the written statement to an existing tenant if:

• the tenancy agreement was signed before 1 May 2026, and
• you have a written record of the agreement — for example, a written tenancy agreement.

Instead, those tenants had to be given the government's document, The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026, by 31 May 2026. It must go to all tenants named on the agreement, either as a printed copy given by hand or post, or as a PDF attachment sent electronically (for example by email or text).

Where this sits in the enforcement regime

Failure to give a written statement of terms under section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 is listed in the government's statutory guidance on civil penalties as a breach — the category where a council may impose a civil penalty of up to £7,000 and there is no option to prosecute. Failure to give an existing tenant the information about the Renters' Rights Act changes is treated the same way.

Practical points

• Keep a dated record of what you gave, to whom, and how. If a council asks, the evidence is the record of service, not your recollection.
• Check your template against the final 20 March 2026 list rather than any earlier draft.

This is general information about published government guidance, not legal advice. Check the sources below for the current position before acting.

Sources: - GOV.UK - Tenancy agreements: written information for your tenant: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tenancy-agreements-written-information-for-your-tenant - The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/324): https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/324/regulation/2/made - GOV.UK - Civil penalties under the Renters Rights Act 2025 and other housing legislation: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-penalties-under-the-renters-rights-act-2025-and-other-housing-legislation/civil-penalties-under-the-renters-rights-act-2025-and-other-housing-legislation - GOV.UK - The Renters Rights Act Information Sheet 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-renters-rights-act-information-sheet-2026

Published: 2026-08-21.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-20.

General summary; not legal advice.