New written information to be provided under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 – what does it mean for landlords?

Landlords will be required to give this information if:

• They are a private landlord or a Private Registered Provider of Social Housing and the tenancy is not a social housing tenancy.
• The property is being let by way of an assured tenancy. 

It should be noted that a letting agent or property manager acting on a landlord’s behalf is also able to provide this information to tenants. 

Existing Tenancies 

Where landlords already have a written tenancy agreement for an existing tenancy as at 1 May 2026, they will not need to provide a written statement of terms. Instead, landlords will be required to provide their current tenants with a Government-produced Information Sheet. This Information Sheet contains information about the changes being implemented by the RRA 25 and how these might affect the tenancy. 

Landlords will have until 31 May 2026 to provide the Information Sheet to all existing tenants. This can either be done digitally or in hard copy. 

New Tenancies 

Where a landlord enters a new tenancy on or after 1 May 2026, they will be required to provide all new tenants with certain written information. This can be included within the written tenancy agreement or provided separately. It may be that a majority of landlord’s include the required information within a written tenancy agreement regardless, however it would be prudent to ensure that tenancy agreements are updated in light of the implementation of phase 1 on 1 May 2026 to ensure they contain all the necessary information. 

This information will need to be given to new tenants before the landlord and tenant sign a tenancy agreement. 

Please note that if a landlord entered into a tenancy prior to 1 May 2026 based on a verbal agreement (i.e. there is no written tenancy agreement) then this information will also need to be provided to their tenants. 

The key information that will need to be provided is as follows:

• The landlords name and address.
• The tenants name.
• The property address.
• The tenancy start date.
• The rent amount and when it is due.
• Information surrounding rent increases.
• If the rent amount includes bills, a landlord must explain which bills are covered.
• The amount of the deposit.
• Information on the tenant ending the tenancy.
• Information on the landlord ending the tenancy.
• The prior notice required for certain grounds for possession landlords may seek to rely on under section 8 of the Housing Act 1988. These being grounds 2ZA to 2ZD, 4, 4A, 5 to 5H and 18.
• An explanation of a landlords obligations under section 9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to ensure the property is fit for human habitation.
• An explanation of a landlords obligations under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to keep the property in repair.
• An explanation of the electrical safety regulations under regulation 3 of the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
• An explanation of the gas safety regulations under regulation 36 of the Gas Safety (Installations and Use) Regulations 1998.
• Information on disability adaptations.
• Information about pets.
• If a tenancy is granted for the purpose of supported accommodation, this must be explained in the written information.

This list is not an exhaustive list of the information landlords should give their tenants, but is the minimum information that should be provided. 

Consequences of Failing to Provide Written Information 

As you can see, there is a significant amount of information that needs to be provided to tenants when entering into new tenancies on or after 1 May 2026. It is important that landlords get this right and ensure all the required information is provided. 

Failure to provide the information as outlined above will be an offence. If a landlord fails to give a written statement of terms they will be in breach of section 16D of the Housing Act 1988. Alternatively, failure to give an existing tenant information about changes made by the RRA 25 will be a breach of paragraph 7(2) of schedule 6 to the RRA 25. Local authorities will have the power to impose civil penalties for both these breaches. 

The maximum civil penalty that can be imposed is £7,000 for breaches of the requirements to provide the prescribed information. It is important to be aware that where more than one breach is committed, local authorities can impose civil penalties in respect of each breach. More than one penalty can also be imposed in respect of the same breach where a local authority impose a penalty and the breach continues for more than 28 days. 

It is also important to note that sanctions may be imposed on any person acting, or purporting to act, on behalf of the landlord who can be deemed responsible for the breach. For instance, if a landlord has entered into a contract with an agent to ensure compliance with the requirement to provide the required information to an existing tenant and the agent fails to do so, the agent could be deemed liable for the breach and a civil penalty imposed upon them. 

If you would like any further information in respect of the contents of this article, or assistance in drafting revised tenancy agreements in line with the RRA 25, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 8858 6971. Alternatively, please contact us via our website to enquire about our services.