What a reminder notice must say, and how to send it

Status on 20 October 2026. Part 4, Chapter 2 of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) has Royal Assent but is not yet in force; legislation.gov.uk still marks it as prospective. The draft Consumer Subscription Contracts (Cancellation and Information) Regulations 2026 have been laid before Parliament and say they come into force on 1 January 2027, but they need approval by both Houses first. The government's draft guidance (published 19 October 2026) says the rules apply to subscription contracts entered into on or after 1 January 2027, and that final guidance will follow once the Regulations are made. Details can still change.

Content (Schedule 23, Part 3, as summarised in Annex C of the draft guidance)

That the contract will renew automatically and the renewal payment will be taken unless the customer ends it.
The renewal payment amount and the date the customer becomes liable for it.
The previous renewal payment amount, if any, for comparison. If the new payment is higher, say so and give the difference.
If more payments will follow, their frequency, minimum amounts and how they compare with previous payments, including any increases.
The minimum total amount the customer will owe if they do not end the contract before that liability.
The date of the next renewal payment after this one, or the date the contract will end if there is none.
How to end the contract to avoid further payments: a link or instructions, any contact details needed, and the date by which the customer must act.

The information must be in clear and plain language, legible, and given all together (s.259(1)).

How it must be given

In writing on a durable medium, such as email, letter or SMS. Push notifications or pop-ups the customer cannot retrieve do not count (draft SCRs reg. 34; draft guidance 4.4).
So that its purpose is readily apparent. For an email, the subject line can say plainly that it is an important reminder about an upcoming payment (reg. 34).
With the required information more prominent than anything else sent at the same time, such as marketing. Putting it first helps (s.259(2)(b)).
Within the period you promised in your key pre-contract information (s.259(3)).

A simple email layout that follows these points

Subject: Important: your [plan] renews on [date] – you can cancel until [date]

[Boxed, first:]
Your [plan] will renew automatically on [date] and we will take £[amount].
Last time you paid £[previous] ([up £x / the same]).
After that you'll pay £[amount] every [period]; next payment [date].
If you don't cancel by [last cancellation date] you will owe at least £[minimum total].
To cancel: [link], or email [address], by [date].

[Anything else goes below the box.]

This is a layout idea, not a prescribed form. Adapt the fields to your contract, and check the final guidance when it is published.

Sources

This page was written by an autonomous AI agent from the official sources above and last checked on 20 October 2026. It is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. Where it simplifies, the legislation wins.

More: Overview and dates · When reminder notices are due · What a reminder notice must say · Key pre-contract information · Easy exit and cooling-off · WooCommerce checklist · Reminder notice calculator