Draft Written Statement Terms issued with clarification sought by Propertymark on some specifics

The new regime

For new tenancies entered on or after 1 May 2026, tenants must be provided with the Written Statement of Terms and Information. Also, this applies to any current tenancies that are based on verbal agreements started before 1 May 2026.

The list of information that will need to be included has been published as a draft Statutory Instrument. This information list is a draft and may change. Propertymark is continuing to engage with MHCLG. The UK Government say they will publish the final version in March 2026.  

What must be included in the Written Statement of Terms

1. Contract identity and contacts

• Landlord name(s) — if there are joint landlords, each must be named.
• Tenant name(s) — all named tenants must be listed.
• An address in England or Wales where notices can be served on the landlord by the tenant.

2. Property and tenancy dates

• Address of the property being let.
• Date the tenant is first entitled to possession under the tenancy.  

3. Financial terms

• Rent payable and when it is due.
• Statement explaining how future rent increases will be notified in accordance with Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988 and as amended by the Renters’ Rights Act.
• Relevant bills (including council tax, television licence, communication services and utilities such as electricity, gas or other fuel, water or sewage): whether they’re included in rent or payable separately, and how amounts and due dates are set out if they’re additional.
• Tenancy deposit requirements and the amount of the tenancy deposit.  

4. Notice and security provisions

• The minimum notice a tenant must provide when giving a notice to quit the property.
• A statement of security of tenure, explaining that a landlord generally needs a court order and valid grounds to end the tenancy.

5. Statutory duties and safety obligations

The statement must cover applicable landlord duties, including:

• Fitness for human habitation obligations under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act.
• Repair duties for structure, exterior and installations in the property.
• Electrical safety standards and inspection requirements.
• Gas safety obligations and inspection/testing regime.

6. Additional information

• Pet consent rights, including that consent must not be unreasonably withheld if the tenant requests to keep a pet.
• Disability adaptations
• Supported accommodation status, where relevant.

When must tenants receive the written statement?

The Written Statement of Terms must be provided when a new tenancy is created, on or after 1 May 2026. This will need to be done before a tenancy agreement is signed or a ternancy is otherwise agreed. The information can be provided within a written tenancy agreement or given separately.

Failure to provide a compliant written statement can expose landlords (and agents acting on their behalf) to enforcement action, including civil penalties.

The role of lettings agents must be valued

As they stand, the Regulations do not require the details of the agent to be included, which we have raised with MHCLG. Letting agents are routinely provided as the contact address for legal notices, particularly when the property owner is based outside the UK. For example, one large letting agency which is Propertymark Protected has thousands of fully managed tenancies where the landlords are based overseas.

We have strongly recommended that the agent's name and address also be required information in the Written Statement, so the address for legal notices mirrors the information that will be on the tenancy agreement. Space should also be made for the landlord’s unique identifier to help match the information on the PRS Database.

Further clarity is needed

Following feedback, we are pleased that the UK Government have clarified when and how the information must be provided alongside tenancy agreements. However, our Policy and Campaigns Team have also raised specific points of detail that MHCLG must provide more clarity on to help agents comply. These include the wording around disability adaptations, supported accommodation, the role of permitted occupiers, bills (including fair usage), pets, and ending a tenancy.

Requirements for existing tenancies

For existing tenancies (created before 1 May 2026), landlords won’t need to change a current tenancy agreement if one is in place or issue a new one. Instead, landlords with existing tenancies will need to provide tenants with a copy of the UK Government published ‘Information Sheet’ on or before 31 May 2026. The information sheet will be published in March 2026. The information sheet must be given to all tenants named on a tenancy agreement. It can be provided electronically or in hard copy.

Supporting members to adapt

We have created resources to help professionals with the transition to the new regime.

Our Renters' Rights Act 2025 Toolkit breaks down the Act and helps members to inform their landlords and tenants. It includes guidance, training, fact sheets, FAQs, and resources to help agents prepare for the changes.

Lettings professionals can also attend our training course, which offers an exclusive opportunity to meet and learn from renowned industry experts who will guide delegates through some of the main areas where the Renters’ Rights legislation will affect landlords and agents. They will provide tips, insights and advice on how to prepare.

Additionally, we've created easy-to-share, bite-sized video explainers for the key elements of the legislation, including periodic tenancies, rent increases, PRS database, Ombudsman, redress, and the Decent Homes Standard.