New Tenancy Paperwork Explained: Written Statements and Information Sheets from May 2026
As part of the upcoming rental reforms, the Government is introducing clearer, standardised information for tenants, and landlords need to understand how this applies to both new and existing tenancies.
There are two separate documents, with two different deadlines, and it’s easy to mix them up. Here’s a plain-English breakdown of what’s required and when.
From 1 May 2026: Written Statements for New Tenancies
From 1 May 2026, all new tenancies must be issued with a Government-prescribed Written Statement of Terms.
This document sets out the key terms of the tenancy in a standard format, so tenants clearly understand:
-
The basics of their agreement
-
Their rights and responsibilities
-
What they can expect from their landlord
The Written Statement must be provided at the start of the tenancy and will apply to new tenancies created on or after 1 May 2026 and any current tenances that are based on verbal agreements srated before 1 May 2026.
By 31 May 2026: Information Sheets for Existing Tenancies
For existing tenancies, landlords are not required to issue the Written Statement.
Instead, the Government will introduce an Information Sheet, which must be given to all existing tenants by 31 May 2026.
This document is designed to:
-
Clearly explain tenant rights under the new framework
-
Set expectations around standards, responsibilities, and protections
-
Ensure consistency across the private rented sector
Although the Information Sheet will be Government-issued, it is still the landlord’s responsibility to make sure it is served by 31 May 2026.
Why This Still Matters for Landlords
Even though the documents are standardised, landlords shouldn’t see this as “just paperwork”.
In practice, these changes will highlight:
-
Outdated tenancy records
-
Unclear or informal arrangements
-
Long-running periodic tenancies with little documentation
-
Missing contact or responsibility details
As Lisa Bailey explains:
“The documents themselves are straightforward, but they rely on landlords having their records in order. If your paperwork hasn’t been reviewed in years, it’s worth doing now rather than rushing in May 2026.”
What Happens If Documents Aren’t Issued?
Failing to issue the correct document by the relevant deadline could lead to:
-
Compliance issues during inspections or disputes
-
Increased scrutiny from local authorities
-
A weaker position if a tenancy problem arises
As with most compliance changes, being organised early makes everything easier.
How Personal Economy Lettings Can Help
Through our Lettings PA compliance support, we help self-managing landlords stay on top of changes like this, without unnecessary stress.
We can:
-
Review your tenancy records now
-
Check which tenancies will fall under the new rules
-
Help you prepare for both May 2026 deadlines
-
Make sure nothing gets missed
Clear advice. Calm guidance. No scare tactics.
Want a Simple Compliance Check?
If you’d like peace of mind that your paperwork is on track, book a free Compliance Review call with us.
We’ll talk it through and help you understand what - if anything - needs attention.
