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UK Rent Receipt Law

In England a landlord must provide a rent book when rent is paid weekly. In Scotland and Northern Ireland a landlord must give a written receipt for rent paid in cash.

Last reviewed: October 2026

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England

When it is requiredWhen rent is payable weekly, the landlord must provide a rent book or other similar document (s. 4(1)). This does not apply where the rent includes board that makes up a substantial part of the whole rent (s. 4(2)). The Act sets no rent book or receipt duty for monthly rent.
The lawLandlord and Tenant Act 1985, ss. 4–7

What it must show:

  • The name and address of the landlord (s. 5(1))
  • For a restricted contract: the rent and the other terms and conditions of the contract
  • For a protected, statutory or assured tenancy: the notices set by regulations, in the prescribed form (s. 5(1)(b), (2))

Where the landlord is a company, the tenant can ask in writing for the names and addresses of its directors and secretary, and the landlord must give them (s. 6).

If the landlord doesn't comply: A landlord who does not provide the rent book, or leaves out the information it must contain, commits a summary offence with a fine of up to level 4 on the standard scale. So does anyone who demands or collects rent for the landlord while those rules are not met, unless they did not know and had no reason to suspect it (s. 7).

Wales

When it is requiredThe rent book rule does not apply to occupation contracts under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (s. 4(4)), and we found no rent book or rent receipt rule in that Act.
The lawLandlord and Tenant Act 1985, s. 4(4)

Scotland

When it is requiredFor a private residential tenancy, the type of private let under the 2016 Act (which also stopped new assured tenancies): a written receipt for every payment of rent made in cash. It is a statutory term of every such tenancy.
The lawPrivate Residential Tenancies (Statutory Terms) (Scotland) Regulations 2017, schedule, para. 1 (Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016, sch. 2)

What it must show:

  • Date of payment
  • Amount paid
  • The amount still outstanding, or confirmation that nothing more is outstanding

Older tenancies: under an assured tenancy with rent payable weekly the landlord must provide a rent book (Housing (Scotland) Act 1988, s. 30(4)), and so must the landlord of a protected or statutory tenancy with weekly rent (Rent (Scotland) Act 1984, s. 113). Not doing so is an offence with a fine of up to level 4 on the standard scale, for the landlord and anyone collecting the rent for them.

Northern Ireland

When it is requiredAny payment the tenant makes to the landlord in cash, for the grant, renewal or continuance of a private tenancy or under it (rent and other payments). In force since 1 April 2023.
The lawPrivate Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Order 2006, art. 5 (as substituted by the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022)

What it must show:

  • Date of payment
  • What the payment was for
  • Amount paid
  • Any amount still outstanding, or that nothing more is outstanding
  • For a single sum covering two or more payments, how it is split between them

The receipt must be given at the time of payment or, if that is not possible, as soon as reasonably possible afterwards, and the tenant cannot be charged for it (art. 5(5)–(6)).

If the landlord doesn't comply: Not giving a proper receipt is an offence by the landlord and by anyone the landlord appointed to give it (art. 5(7)). It can be dealt with by a fixed penalty notice (art. 68A), and a failure that continues more than 14 days after a conviction or a paid fixed penalty is a further offence (art. 5ZA).

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Checked against the text of the law in October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice; your tenancy agreement and local rules can add to it. Read the linked law or ask a tenant advice service or a lawyer about your situation.

UK Rent Receipt — Fill in the Details

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Rent Receipt Details

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UK Rent Receipt FAQ

Does a landlord have to give a rent receipt in the UK?

In England a landlord must provide a rent book when rent is paid weekly. In Scotland and Northern Ireland a landlord must give a written receipt for rent paid in cash.

What is the rule in England?

When rent is payable weekly, the landlord must provide a rent book or other similar document (s. 4(1)). This does not apply where the rent includes board that makes up a substantial part of the whole rent (s. 4(2)). The Act sets no rent book or receipt duty for monthly rent.

What is the rule in Wales?

The rent book rule does not apply to occupation contracts under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (s. 4(4)), and we found no rent book or rent receipt rule in that Act.

What is the rule in Scotland?

For a private residential tenancy, the type of private let under the 2016 Act (which also stopped new assured tenancies): a written receipt for every payment of rent made in cash. It is a statutory term of every such tenancy.

What is the rule in Northern Ireland?

Any payment the tenant makes to the landlord in cash, for the grant, renewal or continuance of a private tenancy or under it (rent and other payments). In force since 1 April 2023.

Other Countries

Canada

Rent receipt laws in the US, by state