Why it matters
What Written Statement of Tenancy means for a landlord
The written statement ends the habit of tenants moving in on a verbal agreement or a template emailed afterwards. It must reach the tenant before they commit, so both sides can see what was agreed. Because it is a separate duty with its own penalty, keep a dated copy of what you sent. Tenancies already in writing on 1 May 2026 were dealt with differently: the landlord gave the tenant the government’s Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.
Worked example
How it plays out
Zara agrees to let a flat in Sheffield to a couple from 1 August 2026. On 20 July she emails them the written statement of terms, covering the rent, the deposit, her address and who repairs what, and asks them to confirm they have it. They sign on 25 July. If a disagreement about the terms comes up later, she has the dated statement they received before committing.
Common mistakes
Where landlords go wrong
- 01Sending the statement after the tenant has moved in.
- 02Using an old template that leaves out required information.
- 03Keeping no record of when the statement was sent.
- 04Confusing it with the Information Sheet, which was for written tenancies that existed on 1 May 2026.
What to do
A short checklist
- Build a written statement template with every required term.
- Send it before the tenancy is agreed and keep the sent copy.
- Review it whenever your tenancy terms change.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 16 September 2026. A guide to the rules in England, not legal advice: for a dispute or a possession claim, speak to a solicitor.
