Renters’ Rights Act · tenancies

Periodic tenancies and written information

Updated 16 October 2026 · England only

Most existing assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026. New assured tenancies are periodic too, so an end date no longer operates as it did under a fixed-term AST.

For an existing written tenancy

Keep the signed agreement as part of the tenancy history. Record when and how the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 was supplied. If an agent acted for you, confirm their record rather than assuming the task was completed.

For a tenancy agreed verbally

The official guidance required written information about the key tenancy terms. Use the government’s written-information guidance to identify the prescribed details and timing. A note saying “verbal tenancy” is not a substitute for supplying the required information.

For a new tenancy

Build a complete record before occupation: the people involved, property, rent period, rent amount, deposit details, agreed terms, required written information and the evidence supplied. Do not describe an assured tenancy as fixed-term or promise that it ends automatically on a particular date.

Do not backdate a delivery record or recreate evidence that does not exist. If a deadline was missed or the position is unclear, read the current official guidance and obtain advice about how to correct it.