The written statement and the information sheet: which one, and how to serve it
Since the Renters' Rights Act, every assured tenancy owes the tenant one of two government documents — WHICH one depends on when the tenancy began. Serving the wrong one (or serving the right one with no proof) is the most common paperwork gap we see.
Which document is yours?
Tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026: the WRITTEN STATEMENT OF TERMS, in the prescribed form. Tenancies that began before that date: the government INFORMATION SHEET explaining the transition to the new tenancy regime (the statutory deadline for existing tenancies was 31 May 2026; if it wasn't served, serve it now and keep proof). One tenancy, one document — the start date decides.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us
How to serve it
Use the current version from GOV.UK on the day you serve. The forms are updated, and an out-of-date version doesn't discharge the duty. Serve it the way your tenancy agreement says notices are served (in person, post, or email where agreed), and do it before or at the start of the tenancy for new lets.
Spotted something out of date? Tell us
Keep the proof
The duty is only as good as your evidence of it: a dated covering email, a signed acknowledgement, or a photo of the handover. If you can't put a date on when it was served, treat it as unserved and re-serve now — confirm-then-remedy beats arguing later.