🏴 England · Renters' Rights Act 2025
Tenancy agreements and the Information Sheet
Fixed terms are gone and all tenancies are periodic. New tenants need a written statement of terms; existing tenants had to be given the government's Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. Tenants can leave with two months' notice.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 31 October 2026
Information Sheet and written statement of terms
- Existing tenancies (started before 1 May 2026) with a written agreement: landlords had to give every tenant the Government's Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026 (the document itself, not a link). Wholly oral tenancies needed a written statement of key terms instead.
- New tenancies: a written statement of key terms must be given before the tenancy begins.
- Failing to comply can lead to a civil penalty of up to £7,000, and up to £40,000 if the failure continues after a penalty. Late service is still worth doing to limit penalties.
- The How to Rent booklet no longer has to be given from 1 May 2026.
Keep proof of how and when documents were given.
Commentary: https://www.nrla.org.uk/resources/renters-rights/existing-tenancies-renters-rights-act
Tenancies that started before 1 May 2026
- Existing assured shorthold tenancies automatically became assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026; fixed terms ended (except limited transitional cases).
- Rent review clauses stopped working: increases taking effect on or after 1 May 2026 need a section 13 notice.
- Section 21 or section 8 notices served before 1 May 2026 lapsed if no court claim was made by 31 July 2026.
- Landlords had to give existing tenants the Government's Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
If you missed any of these, take steps now: serve the Information Sheet late, and use the new section 8 process for possession.
Commentary: https://www.nrla.org.uk/resources/renters-rights/existing-tenancies-renters-rights-act
When the tenant wants to leave
- Since 1 May 2026 tenants can end their tenancy at any time by giving two months' notice; there are no fixed terms to tie them in.
- A landlord and tenant can also agree a surrender in writing at any time (both sign). Keep evidence.
- If a tenant seems to have abandoned the property, be careful: re-taking possession without a surrender or court order risks unlawful eviction. Take advice.
- At the end, check out against the inventory and deal with the deposit through the protection scheme.
Official sources
- www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act/gu…
- www.northdevon.gov.uk/renters-rights-act-2025/changes-that-come-into-force-1-may…
General information on the law in England, not legal advice. Never assume a claim will succeed — for court action, speak to a qualified professional.