The ongoing development of a new tenancy agreement compliant with the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA) has reached a critical stage, with the latest draft now available for review. This fourth part in the series reveals the challenges faced in ensuring the agreement meets statutory requirements and remains practical for landlords and tenants alike.

Revising the Key Information Section

After initial drafts were completed, the Key Information section of the tenancy agreement underwent further scrutiny. Despite earlier praise for the document as “a very strong, near-final document,” the AI tool assisting with the drafting process flagged that this section did not fully comply with the regulations governing statements of terms. It emphasised that statutory terms must be immediately accessible and complete, rather than requiring tenants to search through the agreement.

This prompted a detailed review and amendment of the Key Information section. Although the references to other parts of the agreement were specific and included section numbers, the need for clarity and compliance took precedence. The process caused some delay but was necessary to meet the legal standards expected by Local Authority Officers and to enhance tenant understanding.

The Challenge of Perpetual Revisions

The drafting process highlighted a notable characteristic of using AI assistance: the tendency for continuous suggested amendments. Even after approving clauses, the AI often proposed further changes, making it difficult to finalise the document. This iterative cycle, likened to ‘doomscrolling’ on social media, risks extending the drafting process indefinitely if unchecked.

Despite this, the current version has been described as “a very high-quality, modern, RRA-compliant tenancy agreement.” The decision has been made to limit further amendments unless significant issues arise, recognising the importance of balancing perfection with practical completion.

First Impressions of the Completed Agreement

With the tenancy agreement now set up in a document generator, it is possible to produce and review the full text. Initial feedback is positive, though the length of the document—over 30 pages—may be a concern for some landlords. This length is a direct consequence of the need to produce a legally compliant, plain English document that covers all necessary terms and conditions.

The era of concise tenancy agreements spanning just a couple of A4 pages appears to be over. Attempts to condense such documents risk either illegibility, which could breach the Unfair Terms provisions of the Consumer Rights Act, or outright illegality. The comprehensive nature of the new agreement reflects the evolving legal landscape and the increased protections afforded to tenants.

Next Steps in Finalising the Agreement

Further discussions are planned to refine the agreement, including addressing the additional amendments suggested by the AI. Collaboration with colleagues will ensure the document is both compliant and practical for use. There is optimism that the final version could be completed shortly, bringing this extensive drafting project to a close.

What this means for landlords

Landlords should prepare for tenancy agreements that are significantly longer and more detailed than previous versions. While this may initially seem cumbersome, the comprehensive nature of the new agreements is designed to protect both landlords and tenants by clearly outlining rights and responsibilities in line with the Renters’ Rights Act.

Understanding the statutory requirements and the reasons behind the increased length will help landlords manage expectations and ensure compliance. The move towards plain English and accessibility aims to reduce disputes and improve transparency, ultimately benefiting the rental sector as a whole.

Source: Based on reporting from The Landlord Law Blog

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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.

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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/