Written Statement of Terms — What Landlords Need to Know for 1st May 2026

From 1st May 2026, a new legal requirement comes into force that many landlords are not yet aware of — the Written Statement of Terms. Here is what it is, who needs one, and what it must contain.

What Is a Written Statement of Terms?

A Written Statement of Terms is a document that sets out the key terms of a tenancy in writing. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords are legally required to provide this information to tenants in specific circumstances.

It is separate from — and in addition to — the Government Information Sheet that landlords must provide to existing tenants by 31st May 2026.

Who Needs a Written Statement?

There are two situations where a Written Statement of Terms is required:

Situation 1 — Verbal tenancy agreements entered into before 1st May 2026

If your tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement with no written contract, you must provide your tenant with a Written Statement of Terms by 31st May 2026. You do not provide the Government Information Sheet in this case — the Written Statement replaces it.

Situation 2 — All new tenancies created on or after 1st May 2026

For every new tenancy you create from 1st May 2026 onwards, you must provide the Written Statement before the tenancy agreement is signed or otherwise agreed. The information can be included within the tenancy agreement document itself, or provided as a separate document.

What Must the Written Statement Include?

The Written Statement must contain the following information:

• Full name(s) of the landlord(s) including all joint landlords
• Full name(s) of the tenant(s) including all joint tenants
• The address of the rental property
• An address in England or Wales where notices may be served on the landlord
• The tenancy start date — the date the tenant is first entitled to possession
• The rent amount and when it is due (weekly, monthly or other)
• Whether bills are included in the rent and if so which ones
• If the tenant pays bills separately to the landlord (not directly to the supplier), details of what is covered, how much, and when it is due

Can the Written Statement Be Included in the Tenancy Agreement?

Yes — the most practical approach for most landlords is to include all the required Written Statement information within the tenancy agreement itself. If your tenancy agreement contains all the required information, you do not need a separate Written Statement document.

From 1st May 2026, all new tenancy agreements must be Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) agreements. A properly drafted APT agreement will include the Written Statement information as standard.

What Happens If You Do Not Provide a Written Statement?

Failure to provide a Written Statement where required is a breach of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and can result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for a first breach and up to £40,000 for repeated breaches.

Key Dates Summary

• By 31st May 2026 — provide Written Statement to all tenants on verbal agreements entered into before 1st May 2026
• From 1st May 2026 onwards — provide Written Statement before signing every new tenancy agreement

What About the Government Information Sheet?

The Government Information Sheet and the Written Statement of Terms are two different documents serving different purposes:

| Document | Who receives it | When |

|---|---|---|

| Government Information Sheet | Tenants on existing written tenancy agreements | By 31st May 2026 |

| Written Statement of Terms | Tenants on verbal agreements (before 1 May) | By 31st May 2026 |

| Written Statement of Terms | All new tenants (from 1 May onwards) | Before tenancy is signed |

Register free at RentersRightsAct.info for our compliance checklist and plain-English guides on every aspect of the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Landlord Pro members will have access to legally reviewed Written Statement and APT templates.