The Renters’ Rights Act received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025. From 1 May 2026, the Act abolishes Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and automatically converts all assured shorthold tenancies (including existing fixed term tenancies) to assured periodic tenancies.
Changes have also been made to the grounds on which a landlord can take possession of a property.
Landlords of existing tenancies (including those for agricultural workers) which commenced after 15 January 1989 will need to take some action by 31 May 2026 to remain compliant with tenancy law and avoid penalties.
Below is a quick reference table of the actions required and who by:
| Type of tenancy | Landlord action required | |
| 1 | Rent Act / Rent (Agriculture) Act tenancy (pre 15 January 1989) (oral or written agreement) |
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| 2 | No written agreement / oral tenancies (post 15 January 1989). |
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| 2.a | Agricultural workers (Assured Agricultural Occupants) |
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| 2.b | Non-agricultural tenants (Assured or Assured Shorthold Tenants) |
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| 3 | Existing Written Agreements (post 15 January 1989) |
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| 3.a | Agricultural workers (AAO – Assured Agricultural Occupants) |
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| 3.b |
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| 4 | New APT (Assured Periodic Tenancies) (from 1 May 2026) |
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Written statement
From 1 May 2026, you must give all new tenants, and some existing tenants, written information about the key terms of the tenancy. This will ensure that you and your tenants have a written record of the tenancy’s terms.
This information can be provided in the form of a written statement. Guidance and the information required to be in the statement can be found via: GOV.UK | Written information that must be given to tenants: guidance for landlords and agents
This list is the minimum information that you must give to your tenant. You can use a basic Written Statement or you may want to include this information along with other things in a more detailed tenancy agreement that are relevant to you, your tenant or the property, as long as those terms comply with the law.
Written Information Sheet
The Information sheet is a document produced by the government for landlords to give to tenants. It explains how their tenancy may be affected by the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
The Information Sheet is only valid when downloaded from GOV.UK | The Renters’ Rights Act
Information Sheet 2026. Landlords must give this exact PDF.
Landlords must provide this to the tenants by either:
- printing a hard copy, which is posted or given to the tenants by hand.
- sending the PDF electronically as an attachment, for example, to an email or text message.
‘Prior Written Notice’
To rely on certain Grounds for possession, the landlord must give the tenant notice before the tenancy starts that they may want to use these Ground in future.
This is referred to as “Prior Written Notice”.
Grounds that require Prior Written Notice that are particularly relevant to agriculture include:
- Ground 2ZA – The landlord who is seeking possession holds the interest in the dwelling under a superior tenancy where the superior landlord has given the superior tenant notice that the tenancy will end within 12 months and the landlord seeking possession is an AHA or FBT tenant.
- Ground 2ZC – After a superior AHA / FBT tenancy ends, the superior landlord becomes the tenant’s direct landlord and seeks to take possession.
- Ground 5A – The landlord requires possession for occupation by an agricultural worker under a contract of employment.
- Ground 5C – The property was provided as part of their employment and the employment has ended.
Please note that this is a highly simplified list and there are many conditions that must be met to be able to rely on these Grounds which are discussed in more details in our business guide – Housing law: Terminating an assured periodic tenancy in England
The NFU has produced a new set of business guides which discuss these changes in more detail:
- Housing law: Housing agricultural workers in England – the law from 1 May 2026
- Housing law: Setting up an Assured Periodic Tenancy in England
- Housing law: Terminating an Assured Periodic Tenancy in England
A model Written Statement and a model Assured Periodic Tenancy agreement will be available from the NFU in due course. This page will be updated once they are available.
Members with specific questions relating to rental properties can contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458. Otherwise, please see our Business Guides which give more detailed information.
