Who
Landlords of private rented sector assured tenancies in England. An agent can prepare and give the statement, but the duty sits with the landlord.
Section 16D · SI 2026/324 · England
Written statement of terms generator
Every new tenancy needs a written statement covering 18 prescribed matters. Fill in your tenancy details and print a statement with the legal wording done for you.
Tenancy details
Fill in the details of this tenancy. The generator adds the required legal statements for you. Everything you type stays in your browser - nothing is sent to us or stored.
Rent periodDoes the tenant pay any bills to you, the landlord (as part of the rent or on top)?Tenancy depositIs there a gas supply or any gas appliance or flue at the property?Is this tenancy granted as supported accommodation?
Your written statement will appear here with all 18 prescribed sections filled in, ready to print or save as a PDF.
12 fields left: landlord name(s), address for serving notices, tenant name(s), property address, possession date, rent amount, rent period, rent due date, bills details, deposit, gas fittings, supported accommodation.
Who must provide it, and by when
When
Tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026: before the tenancy is entered into (before the agreement is made, not merely before move-in). Pre-existing wholly oral tenancies: by 31 May 2026 - if missed, the duty continues, so serve it now.
Penalty
Failure carries a civil penalty of up to £7,000, imposed by the local authority. Keep evidence of when and how the statement was given.
Common questions
What is the written statement of terms?
A document that landlords of assured tenancies in England must give their tenants under section 16D of the Housing Act 1988, inserted by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It must contain the terms and information prescribed by SI 2026/324: the parties, the property, the rent, and plain statements of key rights and obligations covering rent increases, notice, possession, repairs, safety, disabled tenants' improvements, pets and supported accommodation.
When must the written statement be given?
For tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026, the statement must be given before the tenancy is entered into - that is, before the agreement is made, not merely before the tenant moves in. Tenancies that existed before 1 May 2026 and were wholly oral needed a written statement by 31 May 2026 - if that was missed, the duty continues, so provide it now. Pre-existing written tenancies get the official Information Sheet instead.
What happens if a landlord does not provide it?
The local authority can impose a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for failing to provide the written statement. If the failure continues after a penalty, or is repeated within five years, it becomes a criminal offence, and the council can impose up to £40,000 instead of prosecuting. Providing it late does not remove the breach, but it limits the ongoing risk - serve it and keep evidence of when and how it was given.
Does this replace a tenancy agreement?
No. The written statement covers the prescribed matters, but a tenancy usually has further terms too. Many landlords fold the prescribed statements into a full written tenancy agreement, which satisfies the duty as long as everything prescribed is included and the document reflects the real agreement.
Based on the Renters' Rights Act 2025, section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 and the Schedule to SI 2026/324, verified September 2026. England only. A template to check and adapt - not legal advice.