Written by Manjit Kataora, Foxtons Director - Legal and Compliance and an expert in housing legislation, this article explains what landlords need to know about the key terms that new assured tenancies must include under the Renters’ Rights Act from May 2026.
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The government has published draft regulations setting out the key terms that all new assured tenancies agreed after 1 May 2026 must contain as part of the Renters’ Right Act. As failure by a landlord or agent to provide a tenant with this information by 31 May 2026 risks a fine of £7,000, we’re currently updating all our documentation and processes to be fully compliant and to manage the transition smoothly on your behalf.
The regulations have been published in draft form, therefore they may still change, but are being published now to enable landlords and agents to start preparing their tenancy agreements ahead of 1 May 2026. If they do change, it is unlikely that they will change much.
New tenancy agreements entered into after 1 May 2026
The regulations apply only to assured tenancies agreed after 1 May 2026 and not to agreements already in existence at that date. For the latter, the government is expected to publish online, in March 2026, a separate Information Sheet that landlords and agents must give to their tenants explaining how their (existing) tenancy will be affected by the changes to the law. Pre-existing tenancy agreements that are purely verbal arrangements, and not in writing, will require the information contained in the draft regulations to be served to tenants before 31 May 2026.
The key terms in detail
The information requirements contained in the regulations are unlikely to present any surprise or difficulty to landlords or agents who already provide their tenants with comprehensive tenancy agreements at the start of the tenancy. They set out that the tenancy agreement must contain:
Parties
• The name of the landlord or (where joint) each joint landlord.
• The name of the tenant or (where joint) each joint tenant.
• The property address.
Commencement of the tenancy
• The date on which the tenant becomes entitled to possession of the property.
Rent / increases
• The amount of rent payable and when it is due.
• A statement setting out that if the landlord proposes a rent increase, this must be done under the procedure set down in Section 13 of the Housing Act 1988.
Bills
• Whether bills are payable either on top of or as part of the rent. Where payable on top of the rent, the amount payable, or how and when the tenant will be notified of the amount of each payment and when each payment is due.
Tenancy deposit
• The amount of any deposit taken.
Ending the tenancy – notices
• The minimum notice period a tenant must provide when serving notice to quit.
• That the landlord may only bring the tenancy to an end by obtaining a court order for possession and by serving a notice of proceedings for possession, and by specifying a ground for possession.
Fitness for habitation / repairing obligations
• A statement that the landlord is under an obligation to ensure the property is fit for habitation and to keep the structure and installations of the property in repair.
• A requirement to ensure that relevant electrical and gas safety standards are maintained and are in safe condition.
Equal rights
• Information about the tenant’s right to make changes to the property under the Equality Act 2010 where the tenant is or may be disabled, and that the landlord may not unreasonably withhold consent.
Pets
• That the tenant may, during the tenancy, request a pet and that the landlord may not unreasonably withhold consent.
Tenancies agreements that already exist at 1 May 2026
These draft regulations only apply to tenancy agreements entered into after 1 May 2026. Landlords with existing agreements as at that date will need to serve tenants with an Information Sheet containing standard information by 31 May 2026. The details of this are expected to be published in March 2026.
You can access the Renters' Rights Act draft regulations here.
Source: This piece was authored by Foxtons Director – Legal and Compliance, Manjit Kataora, who has been working with Foxtons on the intricacies of legislation affecting London landlords for more than 16 years. If you have a question on letting your property in London, ask a Foxtons expert
