Tenant information

England

Before the tenancy starts you must give the tenant information required by the Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026.

This information can be given in the tenancy agreement or in a separate document, but in both cases it must be given before the tenancy agreement is signed, which would usually be when the tenancy agreement is supplied to the tenant ahead of signing.

Information required by the regulations

The key terms that must be given are divided into specific details of the tenancy and more general information:

Details of the tenancy

• The names of the landlord and tenants
• The property's address
• An address for service of notices on the landlord
• The date the tenant can take possession (the start date)
• The rent and when it's payable
• The amount of any deposit
• A statement confirming if the tenant must pay a bill to the landlord, such as for council tax, a TV licence, utility bill (gas or other fuel, electricity, water or sewage), or for using a telephone, the internet and cable/satellite TV. It must also confirm whether the bill is included in the rent or in addition to it, and (if in addition) when each payment is due or an explanation of how and when the tenant will be informed that payment is due.
• If the Protection from Eviction Act 1977 applies to the tenancy, the minimum notice period the tenant must give to end it. This applies to landlords who live with their tenants but do not share rooms with them (such as a living room, bathroom or kitchen).

General information

Further statements need to be included, explaining:

• That any rent increases must be proposed by serving a notice complying with the process under section 13 of the Housing Act 1988
• That the landlord will usually need a court order for possession to end the tenancy agreement and, if seeking a possession order, must first serve a prescribed notice that states the grounds for possession, which will determine the amount of notice needed before a possession claim can start
• That the landlord has a duty to ensure that the property is fit for human habitation under section 9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985
• That the landlord will keep the structure and exterior of the property in repair (including drains, gutters and external pipes)
• That the landlord will keep in repair and proper working order the installations in the property for the supply of water, gas and electricity and for sanitation (including basins, sinks, baths and sanitary conveniences, but not other fixtures, fittings and appliances for making use of the supply of water, gas or electricity)
• That the landlord will keep the installations in the property for heating space and water in repair and proper working order
• That the landlord must comply with the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. The landlord must also state they will ensure that:
• The relevant electrical safety standards are met during any period when the property is occupied under the tenancy
• The relevant electrical installations in the property will be inspected and tested by a qualified person at least every 5 years (or earlier if required by the most recent report)
• They will obtain a report of the results of the inspection and test from the qualified person (including the date it must next be done), and then give a copy of it to the tenant.
• That (if the property contains an applicable gas fitting), the landlord must comply with the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. If it does, the landlord must also state they will ensure that:
• The gas appliances and flues are maintained and in a safe condition
• A safety check is done every year by an engineer registered with Gas Safe
• A safety record is obtained from them and a copy is given to the tenant.
• That the tenant can request to make an improvement to the property if they're regarded as disabled under the section 6(2) of the Equality Act 2010 and it's likely to help their enjoyment of the property, and that consent to such requests must not be unreasonably withheld. The improvement can be an alteration or addition of the landlord's fixtures and fittings or the services provided to the property, installing a radio or television aerial, or carrying out external decorations. (More on this below.)
• That the tenant may request to keep a pet and that consent must not be unreasonably refused. (More on this below.)

Landlords can be fined up to £7,000 by a local authority if they fail to provide the information.

Scotland

You must provide the tenant with specified information (as well as an Energy Performance Certificate and a gas safety certificate).

If you use the Scottish Government's model agreement you must give the tenant the Easy Read Notes for the Scottish Government Model Private Residential Tenancy Agreement. These notes are available on the gov.scot website. If you use the online model agreement the notes are automatically provided.

If you do not use the model agreement you must give the tenant a copy of the Private Residential Tenancy Statutory Terms Supporting Notes which gives information on the nine statutory terms.

You must also give the written tenancy terms – for more about what it must include see Residential tenancy agreements

Northern Ireland

You must provide the tenant with specified information about the tenancy and a rent book (as well as an Energy Performance Certificate and a gas safety certificate).

You must give a tenancy information notice to your tenant within 28 days after the date the tenancy is granted. This phrase is used in the legislation that sets this requirement, but there's no clear definition of what it means – it's likely to be interpreted as the date the tenancy agreement is signed.

You can use our document Tenancy information notice (Northern Ireland) to create one.

You also must give the tenant a rent book within 28 days of the date the tenancy starts and a certificate of fitness (if required for the type of property) – see Housing standards.

You can use our document Rent book (Northern Ireland) to create a rent book.

More on tenants' rights to make requests (England)

Right to keep a pet at the property

Landlords have a responsibility to not unreasonably refuse a tenant's request to keep a pet (both before and after moving in).

The pet doesn't need to be owned by the tenant.

The tenant must apply in writing and give a description of the pet.

You generally have 28 days to respond to a tenant's request, starting from the day it's received. However, this can be extended, in the following situations:

• By mutual agreement between the parties: there's no obligation to put the agreement and new decision date in writing, but it's recommended to do so.
• If you need more information: during the 28-day period, you can ask the tenant to provide more information about their application (if the information you're asking for is reasonable). You can then delay giving the tenant your decision for 7 days from the date the response is given. You don't have to give your decision if the tenant fails to respond.
• If you need the consent of a superior landlord: during the 28-day period, you can seek this and can delay giving the tenant your decision for 7 days from the date you receive the superior landlord's response. Your refusal of consent will be reasonable if it breaches the terms of an agreement (such as a lease) between you and a superior landlord, or if the superior landlord refuses to give consent after you've taken reasonable attempts to try and get it.

If a tenant believes their application was unjustly refused, they can make a complaint to the Private Rented Sector Ombudsman or start a court claim.

Note: You cannot require a tenant to get insurance or to pay a larger deposit to cover any damage caused by the pet.

Right to request improvements to the property

A tenant can request that you make improvements to the property to improve the property's energy efficiency or if they have a disability.

• Energy efficiency: Under the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015, tenants have a right to ask for their landlord's consent to make energy efficiency improvements to the property. For more information about this, see the government guidance.
• Disability: Tenants who are disabled under the section 6(2) of the Equality Act 2010 have a right to request an improvement to the property if it's likely help them to enjoy using it. Subject to receiving satisfactory evidence that they qualify, landlords must not unreasonably withhold their consent if a request is received.