By Emily Ransome-Farmer MTPI AssocRICS, Head of Property Management at Watsons Property
Wording Confirmed for New Tenancy Templates
From 1 May, new Assured Periodic Tenancies (APT) must include a written statement setting out specific mandatory information under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
The Government has now confirmed what this wording must cover, allowing landlords to prepare updated tenancy agreements ahead of the changes coming into force. Our guide below breaks down what needs to be included, and how to stay compliant in practical terms.
New Tenancy Agreements – Step by Step
| Step | What Landlords Need To Do |
|---|---|
| Step 1: Understand What is Changing | From 1 May 2026, Landlords must provide tenants with a written statement containing prescribed information (this will usually be built into the tenancy agreement and provided before signing). This requirement comes from the Renters’ Rights Act and applies to all new tenancies signed on or after that date. |
| Step 2: Confirm Who the Tenancy is Between | Include the full name of the landlord, including all joint landlords. Include the full names of all tenants named on the tenancy. |
| Step 3: Provide Landlord Contact Details | State an address in England or Wales where notices can legally be served on the landlord. |
| Step 4: Identify the Rented Property | Include the full postal address of the property being let. |
| Step 5: Confirm When the Tenancy Starts | State the date the tenant is entitled to take possession of the property. |
| Step 6: Set out the Rent Details | State the rent amount and when it is due. Rent can only be increased once in any 12-month period, and only via the Section 13 process (with at least two months’ notice). |
| Step 7: Explain What is Included in the Rent | Confirm whether utilities, council tax, TV licence or communication services are included in the rent. Where they are not included, explain how and when the tenant must pay them, or how they will be notified of charges. |
| Step 8: Record the Deposit | If a deposit is taken, confirm the amount paid. There is no requirement to name the deposit protection scheme in this statement. Separately, any deposit must still be protected and the prescribed information served under the Housing Act 2004 rules. |
| Step 9: Confirm the Tenant’s Notice Period | State the minimum notice period the tenant must give to end the tenancy. This will usually be two months, unless a shorter period is agreed. |
| Step 10: Explain How the Landlord Can Regain Possession | The tenancy agreement should make clear that a landlord can normally recover possession, only through the courts. This will usually require the landlord to serve a valid Section 8 notice, relying on one or more statutory grounds, with the notice period varying depending on the ground used. Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions will not be available from 1 May 2026. |
| Step 11: Confirm Property Condition Obligations | In most cases, state that the landlord must ensure the property is fit for human habitation. |
| Step 12: Set out Repair Responsibilities | In most cases, explain the landlord’s repair obligations under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. |
| Step 13: Confirm Safety Responsibilities | In most cases, include a statement covering electrical safety obligations. Where gas is present, include the landlord’s responsibilities under gas safety regulations. |
| Step 14: Address Disability-Related Adaptations | Include a statement confirming that consent for reasonable adaptations to support a disabled occupant cannot be unreasonably withheld. |
| Step 15: Confirm Pet Requests | State that tenants have the right to request a pet and that landlords may not unreasonably refuse consent. |
| Step 16: Identify Supported Accommodation (where relevant) | If the tenancy is supported accommodation, state this clearly and explain why it meets the criteria. |
| Step 17: Decide How the Information is Provided | For tenancies signed on or after 1 May 2026, this information will usually be included within the tenancy agreement itself. A separate document is optional but not required. |
| Step 18: Avoid Outdated Tenancy Templates | Do not use older tenancy agreements after 1 May 2026. Using non-compliant wording may lead to enforcement action and financial penalties. |
| Step 19: Understand the Penalties | Local authorities can impose civil penalties. The Government guidance gives a £4,000 starting point for failing to provide the correct written statement within the required timeframe, with higher exposure for continued/repeat non-compliance. |
| Step 20: Deal Correctly with Existing Tenancies | Existing written tenancies do not need to be reissued. Instead, landlords must serve a Government-issued information document explaining the changes by 31 May 2026. |
| Step 21: Use Updated Guidance and Templates | A draft of the prescribed content was published in January 2026 to allow landlords/agents to update templates. The Government’s ‘Information Sheet’ for existing tenants is due in March 2026, ahead of commencement on 1 May 2026. |
Conclusion & Next Steps
Getting your tenancy template and processes ready now means you won’t be caught out on 1 May 2026. We’re advising you to make sure your new Assured Periodic Tenancy Agreements include everything the written statement needs, or provide a compliant separate statement before signing.
Using out-of-date forms could bring charges and fines, so it’s worth taking the time to completely update your documents while you can. The final Government version is published in March 2026, and will refer to the relevant official guidance for landlords.
Contact Our Team
Our property management specialists are here to protect your property investments and support you through these ongoing changes. Get in touch today to discover more about our award-winning services and how we can help you.
Lettings Team
18 Meridian Way, Meridian Business Park, Norwich, NR7 0TA
📞 Phone: 01603 751555
✉️ Email: letting@watsons-property.co.uk
