The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduces a new requirement for landlords in England to provide every tenant with a written statement of the terms of their tenancy. This replaces the informal practice of relying on the tenancy agreement alone and gives tenants a clear, standardised document setting out their rights and obligations. Here is what you need to know.
What is the written statement of terms requirement
Section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 (inserted by the Renters' Rights Act 2025) requires every landlord of an assured periodic tenancy in England to provide the tenant with a written statement setting out the key terms of the tenancy. This is not the tenancy agreement itself, it is a separate, standardised document that summarises the terms in a prescribed format. The requirement applies to all private landlords, whether individual or corporate, and covers every assured periodic tenancy.
When it applies
The written statement requirement applies in two phases:
- New tenancies from 1 May 2026. For any new assured periodic tenancy granted on or after 1 May 2026, the landlord must provide the written statement before the tenancy is entered into.
- Existing tenancies (auto-converted ASTs). For tenancies that existed before 1 May 2026 and auto-converted to periodic Assured Tenancies on commencement, the deadline for providing the written statement was 31 May 2026. That deadline has passed, if you have not yet served the statement, do so now.
- Subsequent changes. There is no statutory duty to issue an updated statement when terms later change, but reissuing an up-to-date statement after a change (for example, a Section 13 rent increase) is good practice.
What must be included in the statement
The written statement must include the following mandatory terms (based on the prescribed content regulations):
- The full names and addresses of the landlord and the tenant
- The address of the let property
- The date the tenancy began (or, for converted tenancies, the original start date and the conversion date)
- The amount of rent, the payment period, and the day on which rent is due
- Whether a deposit has been taken, the amount, and which deposit protection scheme holds it
- The length of the notice period the tenant must give to end the tenancy (two months under the RRA 2025)
- The landlord's obligations regarding repairs and maintenance
- The tenant's obligations regarding the condition of the property and conduct
- Pet-keeping provisions (the tenant's right to request a pet, and the landlord's duty to respond within 28 days and only refuse on reasonable grounds)
- Any restrictions on assignment or subletting
- The tenant's right to refer a rent increase to the First-tier Tribunal
- Contact details for complaints and the PRS Ombudsman (once appointed)
- A statement that Section 21 notices cannot be served and that the landlord must use Section 8 grounds for possession
The government prescribes the content that must be included, not the exact layout. You may use your own formatting and add additional terms, but all mandatory items must be present. The LetSafe UK template covers every mandatory item in a professional format.
Penalties for not providing it
If a landlord fails to provide the written statement within the required timeframe, the tenant may apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). The tribunal can:
- Order the landlord to provide the written statement within a specified period
- Award compensation to the tenant for the failure, the amount is at the tribunal's discretion
- A failure to provide the written statement may also be treated as evidence of poor landlord conduct in any subsequent possession proceedings, deposit disputes, or PRS Ombudsman complaints
- Repeated or wilful failure could attract civil penalties under the broader RRA 2025 enforcement framework, including penalties up to £7,000 for a first offence and up to £40,000 for repeated breaches
How it differs from the old-style tenancy agreement
| Feature | Traditional tenancy agreement | Written statement of terms |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Contractual document agreed by both parties | Statutory document the landlord must provide, tenant does not sign it |
| Content | Whatever the landlord or agent chose to include | Prescribed mandatory content covering all key terms |
| Timing | Usually provided at signing before move-in | Must be provided before the tenancy is entered into |
| Enforcement | Breach of contract, county court claim | Tribunal application by tenant, compensation, civil penalties |
| Relationship to tenancy | Is the tenancy agreement | Supplements (does not replace) the tenancy agreement, both may exist alongside each other |
| Pet provisions | At landlord's discretion, often prohibited | Must include the tenant's right to request a pet under the RRA 2025 |
Transition arrangements for existing ASTs
If you have an existing AST in force on 1 May 2026, it auto-converts to a periodic Assured Tenancy on that date. You do not need to issue a new tenancy agreement, the conversion is statutory. However, the written statement of terms was due by 31 May 2026, if you have not yet served it, do so immediately. Practical steps:
- Prepare your written statement template in advance (April 2026).
- Populate it with the details of each tenancy, tenant names, property address, rent, deposit scheme, start date.
- Include the conversion date (1 May 2026) and confirm the tenancy is now periodic.
- Serve the written statement on every named tenant, keeping proof of service.
- If you later increase rent via Section 13 (Form 4A), reissuing an updated written statement is good practice (there is no statutory duty to update).
The written statement is a chance to reset the landlord-tenant relationship on a clear, professional footing. Tenants who receive a well-formatted, comprehensive statement are less likely to dispute terms later, and you have documentary evidence of compliance if questions arise.
Get the Revised Written Statement of Terms
The LetSafe UK Revised Written Statement of Terms (LS-E-007, £9) is a professionally formatted, editable template covering every mandatory item prescribed by the RRA 2025. It includes guidance notes, a completion checklist, and a proof-of-service log. Ships on 1 May 2026 and is available to pre-order now.
Frequently asked questions
Does the written statement replace my tenancy agreement?
No. The written statement supplements the tenancy agreement, it does not replace it. The tenancy agreement remains the primary contractual document. The written statement is a statutory summary that the landlord must provide to ensure the tenant has a clear record of the key terms.
Do I need to provide a written statement for a lodger?
No. The written statement requirement applies to assured periodic tenancies only. Lodgers are excluded occupiers with a licence, not a tenancy, and are not covered by this requirement. However, it is still good practice to provide a lodger agreement, see our Lodger Agreement template (LS-E-003).
What if my tenancy agreement already contains all the required terms?
You must still provide the written statement as a separate document. The statutory requirement is for a distinct written statement in the prescribed format, relying on the tenancy agreement alone does not satisfy the obligation, even if it contains the same information.
Can my letting agent provide the written statement on my behalf?
Yes. A letting agent or managing agent can prepare and serve the written statement on the landlord's behalf. However, the legal obligation remains with the landlord, if the agent fails to serve it, the landlord is liable for any penalty.
Does the written statement apply to HMOs?
Yes. Each tenant in an HMO with their own assured periodic tenancy (for example, a per-room tenancy) must receive their own written statement. This applies to both mandatory and additional HMO licensing schemes. The statement should reflect the individual tenant's terms, not the property as a whole.
What happens if I provide the statement late but before the tenant complains?
Providing the statement late is still a breach, but if you provide it before the tenant applies to the tribunal, the tribunal is unlikely to award significant compensation. The practical risk is reputational and evidential, late compliance suggests poor management, which may count against you in other proceedings.