Give the written statement of terms before a new tenancy is agreed

New assured tenancies (not social housing) entered into on or after 1 May 2026, including oral agreements.

Before the tenancy is entered into, give every tenant a written statement covering the items in the Schedule to SI 2026/324: names of all landlords and tenants; an address in England and Wales for serving notices on the landlord; property address; date the tenant is first entitled to possession; rent and when it is due; a statement that rent increases will follow the section 13 procedure; bills payable to the landlord (whether in or on top of rent, amounts and due dates); deposit amount if HA 2004 s.213 applies; the tenant's minimum notice period; how the landlord can end the tenancy (court order, prescribed-form notice, grounds and notice periods); the landlord's fitness for human habitation, repairing, electrical safety and (where relevant) gas safety obligations; Equality Act s.190 improvement information where relevant; the tenant's right to request a pet; and, if supported accommodation, that fact and why. Include any prior-notice statement for Grounds 1B, 2ZA-2ZD, 4, 5-5H, 6A or 18 you may later want to use.

Deadline

Before the start of the tenancy

Must be given before the tenancy is entered into (HA 1988 s.16D(4)); 28-day windows apply only to succession and certain other conversions (s.16D(5)-(7)).

• Signed tenancy agreement or separate written statement containing every Schedule item
• Proof of delivery to each tenant before signing

Civil penalty

Up to £7,000

Other consequences

Council financial penalty of up to £7,000 (beyond reasonable doubt). A further penalty can follow if the failure continues 28 days after the previous penalty; continuing or repeat breaches within 5 years become offences with a civil penalty of up to £40,000 (HA 1988 ss.16I-16K). Agents contracted to ensure compliance are also liable.

• Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.12 (inserts Housing Act 1988 s.16D: duty to give statement of terms)legislation.gov.uk
• Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/324), reg 2 and Schedulelegislation.gov.uk
• Renters' Rights Act 2025, s.15 (inserts HA 1988 ss.16I-16L: financial penalties and offences)legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

The list of required content was published by GOV.UK on 20 March 2026 (landlord guidance PDF linked from the GOV.UK page). Exact statutory wording is not required as long as each item is covered.

• Oral tenancies from before 1 May 2026: written statement of terms due by 31 May 2026In force since 1 May 2026Fine up to £7,000

  If a tenancy that existed before 1 May 2026 had no written record of its terms, you had to give the tenant the written statement of key terms by 31 May 2026. If you missed it, the breach continues until you give it.

• Give existing tenants the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 (deadline 31 May 2026)In force since 1 May 2026Fine up to £7,000

  For tenancies that started before 1 May 2026 with a written agreement, you had to give every named tenant the government's official Information Sheet PDF by 31 May 2026. If you missed it, the breach continues until you give it.

• How to Rent guide: no longer required from 1 May 2026No longer applies, ended 30 April 2026

  The How to Rent guide is withdrawn. Landlords no longer need to give it for tenancies under the new system; the old duty was tied to section 21, which has been abolished.