The implementation of the Renters’ Rights Act is fast approaching — and for UK letting agents, property managers and landlords, this is far more than a routine update to tenancy wording.

The changes represent a fundamental shift in how tenancies must be documented, communicated and managed. With strengthened enforcement powers already in place and further secondary legislation expected in the coming months, the risk of non-compliance is rising.

For agencies and portfolio landlords, preparation cannot wait.

Below, we break down the key changes and what they mean in practice.

1. A Mandatory Written Statement of Terms from 1 May 2026

From 1 May 2026, all new private rented sector tenancies must include a legally compliant Written Statement of Terms. This will also apply where a tenancy previously did not have a written agreement.

The Government has released draft secondary legislation outlining exactly what must be included. Once finalised, this will become mandatory.

For agents managing high volumes of tenancies, ensuring every agreement issued from this date meets the required standard will be critical.

2. The Required Content Is Extensive

This is not a simple template tweak.

The Written Statement of Terms must include detailed and specific information, including:

• Landlord and tenant details

• Rent amount and payment terms

• Notice periods

• Deposit information

• Repairing obligations

• Pet consent rights

• Disability adaptation provisions

• A clear explanation of how rent increases operate under the new statutory framework

Missing or incorrectly presenting required information could expose landlords and agents to enforcement action.

3. Existing Tenancies Still Carry New Obligations

While existing tenancy agreements do not need to be reissued or rewritten, landlords and agents will have a new duty.

Tenants must receive a Government-issued information sheet explaining how the Renters’ Rights Act affects their tenancy.

This means even long-standing tenancies will require administrative action to remain compliant.

4. A Fixed Deadline for Existing Tenants

The Government is expected to publish the official information sheet in March 2026. It must then be issued to all existing tenants by 31 May 2026.

Missing this deadline could result in enforcement action — making workflow planning and communication tracking essential.

For enterprise property managers and multi-branch agencies, this will require coordinated system-wide processes.

5. Draft Legislation Creates Timing Risks

One of the biggest challenges is timing.

The legislation is currently in draft form and may still change before becoming a confirmed statutory instrument. However, tenancy agreements are often prepared months in advance.

This creates a compliance risk:

• Documents prepared too early may become non-compliant

• Templates may require last-minute updates

• Manual systems increase the likelihood of error

• Keeping documentation up to date — and ensuring version control across teams — will be vital over the coming months.

6. Stronger Enforcement Powers Are Already Active

Since the end of last year, local authorities have enhanced enforcement powers, including the ability to:

• Investigate compliance

• Inspect records

• Issue financial penalties of up to £40,000 as an alternative to prosecution

This significantly raises the stakes for landlords and agents relying on outdated agreements or informal compliance processes.

The focus is shifting from reactive correction to proactive governance.

7. Energy Efficiency Standards Are Tightening

Alongside tenancy reform, landlords must also prepare for changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

• All rental properties are expected to require a minimum EPC rating of C by 1 October 2030.

• Compliance planning must therefore consider both tenancy documentation reform and longer-term asset upgrades.

8. Compliance Is Becoming More Operational

The overarching message is clear: compliance is no longer a paperwork exercise — it’s an operational discipline.

Letting agents and property managers must be able to:

• Maintain up-to-date agreement templates

• Track which tenants have received required documentation

• Manage deadlines across entire portfolios

• Store auditable compliance records

• React quickly to legislative updates

Manual spreadsheets and disconnected systems increase risk, particularly at scale.

How togetha Helps You Stay Ahead

At togetha, we work with UK letting agents, landlords and enterprise property managers to simplify tenancy management and compliance.

Our platform is built to help you:

• Standardise documentation across teams

• Stay aligned with evolving UK legislation

• Track tenant communications and deadlines

• Maintain clear, auditable compliance records

• Reduce administrative burden while protecting your business

As the Renters’ Rights Act implementation approaches, now is the time to review your processes and ensure your systems are ready.

Don’t wait for enforcement action to highlight gaps.

Book a demo with togetha today and see how our platform can help you manage tenancies with confidence in a changing regulatory landscape.