Significant changes to English housing law will come into effect on 1 May 2026 with the introduction of the first stage of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. This new legislation necessitates a comprehensive update to tenancy agreements to ensure compliance, a task currently underway by legal experts supporting landlords and agents.

Updating tenancy agreements for the Renters’ Rights Act

Over recent months, efforts have focused on aligning existing tenancy agreements with the new legal framework. The Landlord Law membership site, a popular resource among landlords, is revising its tenancy agreement to comply with the Renters’ Rights Act and the accompanying regulations, formally titled the Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026.

Compliance is critical, as failure to adhere to these regulations could expose landlords to fines. The updated tenancy agreement aims to meet these legal requirements while maintaining clarity and usability for landlords and tenants alike.

Designing the new agreement

The process of drafting the new agreement began in earnest shortly before Easter 2026, following the publication of the final regulations. Prior to this, the concept had been developing over a longer period, allowing for thoughtful consideration and refinement of ideas.

The Landlord Law tenancy agreement is generated through a document system utilising Gravity Forms software, which merges landlord input with a PHP-based template primarily coded in HTML. This system allows landlords to customise their agreements by entering specific information and selecting options, while the core wording remains consistent to ensure compliance and clarity.

Introducing the ‘Key Information’ section

A significant feature of the updated agreement is the inclusion of a distinct ‘Key Information’ section at the very start of the document. This section consolidates all the mandatory information required by the regulations, either in full or by referencing its location elsewhere in the agreement.

This approach is designed to facilitate quick compliance checks by Local Authority Officials, potentially reducing the risk of enforcement actions or penalties. There is also consideration of enhancing the visual prominence of this section, such as adding a border, to make it stand out clearly.

Incorporating procedures and guidance

To provide greater clarity and authority, a series of landlord and tenant procedures developed separately have been integrated into the tenancy agreement. Embedding these procedures within the contract itself aims to offer clear, step-by-step guidance for handling specific situations, thereby supporting smoother landlord-tenant interactions.

Addressing bills and guarantees under the new regime

The new legal environment also impacts how bills and guarantees are managed within tenancy agreements. Previously, some agreements included bills within the rent via a ‘bills allowance’, a popular feature especially among student landlords. However, from 1 May 2026, bills can only be increased once annually through the section 13 rent increase procedure, making the previous arrangement unworkable.

Despite initial plans to remove the bills-included option, landlord feedback has prompted a reconsideration to find a compliant solution within the new framework.

Regarding guarantees, the existing agreements provide a basic form of guarantee that typically requires renewal alongside rent increases. With the abolition of fixed terms and section 21 notices under the Renters’ Rights Act, this renewal mechanism will no longer exist. A new guarantee deed has been drafted to address this, but due to its length and requirement for individual signing as a deed, it cannot be included directly in the tenancy agreement. The removal of the included guarantee clause has also met with resistance from landlords, highlighting the challenges in adapting to the new legal landscape.

Building on a strong foundation

Drafting the updated agreement is facilitated by the existing Landlord Law tenancy agreement, which has evolved since its original creation in 2008. The current version benefits from years of refinement and contributions from members, resulting in a clear, well-structured document with effective clauses. This foundation provides a solid starting point for incorporating the new legal requirements.

The next phase will focus on the detailed drafting of the agreement text, ensuring it meets all regulatory demands while remaining practical for everyday use.

What this means for landlords

Landlords must prepare for the changes brought by the Renters’ Rights Act by reviewing and updating their tenancy agreements to ensure compliance. The introduction of a ‘Key Information’ section and integrated procedures will aid in transparency and reduce the risk of penalties. However, adjustments to how bills and guarantees are handled will require careful consideration to maintain both legal compliance and landlord protections.

Engaging with updated, professionally drafted tenancy agreements will be essential for landlords to navigate the new legal environment effectively from 1 May 2026 onwards.

Source: Based on reporting from The Landlord Law Blog

TLA Training Academy

The Landlord Association has launched its new Training Academy for UK landlords, providing structured guidance, compliance education, and practical knowledge to support landlords at every stage. Members can now complete the programme and become TLA Certified Landlords at no additional cost as part of their membership.

Landlords can explore the Academy here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/tla-academy/

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TLA update

The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/