Reviewed for the Renters' Rights Act · Updated 20 July 2026

The 2026 tenancy agreement: what's changed and what you need

2026 is the biggest reset in residential tenancy paperwork since 1989. If you're searching for a "2026 tenancy agreement template", here's precisely what changed and what a compliant document now looks like.

What changed on 1 May 2026

• ASTs abolished. All existing assured shorthold tenancies converted automatically to assured periodic tenancies.
• Fixed terms abolished. New tenancies cannot include a fixed term; all run monthly.
• Section 21 abolished. Landlords must use revised Section 8 grounds for possession.
• Information duties. Landlords must give tenants prescribed written information about the tenancy, with financial penalties for non-compliance.
• Pets. Tenants gained a right to request a pet which cannot be unreasonably refused.

Checklist: is your 2026 agreement compliant?

1. Describes the tenancy as an assured periodic tenancy – not an AST.
2. No fixed term; monthly rent period.
3. Tenant notice period of two months correctly stated.
4. No reference to Section 21 anywhere.
5. Pet clause consistent with the right to request.
6. Accompanied by the required written tenancy information, given before signing.

Frequently asked questions

What changed in tenancy agreement templates for 2026?

Everything structural: no fixed term or end date, no Section 21 wording, rent increases only via Section 13, a pet request process with a 28-day response duty, and written information that must be given before signing.

Can I still use my old AST template?

It will still bind where consistent with the law, but it describes a regime that no longer exists and signals non-compliance. New tenancies should start on a Renters' Rights Act-compliant periodic agreement.

When did the new rules take effect?

1 May 2026. From that date all new tenancies are periodic, and existing tenancies converted automatically on the same day.