Government publishes information on new tenancy agreements

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Government publishes information on new tenancy agreements

The government has confirmed what information must be included in new tenancy agreements for the Renters’ Rights Act.

Landlords will need to give this information when creating a new tenancy on or after 1 May 2026.

It’s important for landlords to know that you will not need to provide this information to an existing tenant if the tenancy was signed before 1 May 2026.

Instead, landlords will need to give tenants a copy of the Renters’ Rights Act information sheet, or they could face a £7,000 fine.

Permission from letting agent to include contact details

If landlords are using a new tenancy agreement after 1 May 2026, they must include certain information such as:

• Your name (or the name of the landlord, if you are a letting agent or property manager acting on a landlord’s behalf) and the name of any joint landlords you let the property with.
• A postal address in England or Wales where the tenant can send legal notices to you, for example a notice to end the tenancy. This does not need to be your home address, but it must be an address where you can receive post. This could include a business address.

The government explain that landlords do not have to provide an email address or phone number, but they can choose to do so if they would like the tenant to be able to contact them.

The government say this could be helpful if you would like tenants to report repairs by phone or email.

Landlords can also choose to include the contact details of a property manager or letting agent, if they have one, but they are not required to do so.

However, the government point out that landlords must ensure they have permission from the letting agent to include their contact details.

Name and address

Other information that must be included in tenancy agreements include:

• Tenant(s) name – Landlords must include the names of all tenants, including joint tenants.
• Property address – Landlords must include the address of the property where the tenant will live.
• Tenancy start date – Landlords must include the date the tenant is first entitled to possession of the property. This means the first day when they are allowed to move into the property.
• Rent amount and when it is due – must include the amount of rent and when payment is due.
• Rent increases – Landlords must include a statement that if you make a new proposal to increase the rent, you will serve a notice on your tenant in accordance with Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988.

Explain which bills are covered

If the rent amount includes bills, then landlords must explain which bills are covered.

The government explains landlords do not need to say how much of the rent covers the cost of bills, but landlords can choose to include this if they wish.

Landlords may decide to ask tenants to make separate payments to them or someone else connected to them for the purpose of paying bills. If they do this, landlords must explain:

• What bills any separate payment will cover
• How much is due for each bill — or an explanation of how and when the tenant will be told this information
• When each bill payment is due — or an explanation of how and when the tenant will be told this information

Landlords only need to give tenants this information for certain bills. These are:

• Council tax
• Utilities, including electricity, gas or other fuel, water, and sewage
• A TV licence
• Communications services, including telephone, internet, cable TV and satellite TV
• Energy efficiency improvements under a green deal plan

Landlords only need to give this information for bills that are covered by the rent or which tenants must pay to them separately. Landlords do not need to explain which bills the tenant is responsible for arranging or paying directly to the supplier.

Important exception

Landlords must include the amount of the tenancy deposit, if they have taken one or plan to take one from their tenant.

The government explain: “Rules on tenancy deposits mean landlords must give specific information to tenants within 30 days of receiving the money. For example, this includes which government-approved scheme the deposit is or will be protected in.

“This information does not have to be provided at the same time as the other tenancy information listed, but it can be if landlords wish to do so.”

Landlords must also include the minimum amount of notice a tenant must give when serving notice to end the tenancy, as well as information about landlords ending a tenancy, such as through an order for possession.

However, the government have clarified an important exception: “The only circumstance where a landlord would not need to obtain an order for possession is where the Secretary of State has given written notice that the occupier is disqualified from occupying premises under a residential tenancy agreement because of their immigration status.

“In this circumstance, the landlord should instead serve the occupier with a notice to end the tenancy under the relevant immigration legislation.”

Right to request a pet

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants will be able to request a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. The government say a statement confirming this must be included in new tenancy agreements.

Other required information includes a statement that the landlord must ensure the property is fit for human habitation and details of the landlord’s obligations under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

The government also says that if there is only a verbal tenancy agreement (even if it began before 1 May 2026), landlords will still need to provide this information.

A full list of everything that needs to be included can be viewed by clicking here.

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