Landlords and letting agents should prepare for a new statutory obligation taking effect from 1st May 2026 under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which introduces mandatory tenant information requirements for existing residential tenancies in England.
What is changing?
The government has published an official Information Sheet for tenants, explaining how their tenancy may be affected by the Renters’ Rights Act. From 1 May 2026, landlords (or their agents) must ensure this document is provided to qualifying tenants.
Who must receive the Information Sheet?
You must provide the Information Sheet if the tenancy:
● Is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
● Was created before 1 May 2026
● Has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement)
A separate copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement. You do not need to provide the sheet to lodgers. Social landlords may also be required to comply where they are letting on a nonsocial tenancy basis.
Deadline and penalties
The Information Sheet must be provided no later than 31 May 2026. Failure to comply could result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000.
How must it be given?
The legislation is prescriptive. The Information Sheet is only valid if it is the exact PDF
downloaded from the GOV.UK page and must be provided in one of the following ways:
● A printed hard copy, posted or handed to the tenant
● The PDF sent electronically as an attachment (e.g. by email or text message)
Importantly, sending a link to the document is not sufficient and will not comply with the legal requirement.
Where a letting agent manages the property, the agent is responsible for providing the Information Sheet, even if the landlord has already done so.
Do tenancy agreements need updating?
No changes or reissues of existing written tenancy agreements are required as a result of this obligation.
What about verbal tenancies?
If the tenancy was agreed entirely verbally and created before 1 May 2026, the Information Sheet must not be given. Instead, landlords must provide separate written information about the key terms of the tenancy, as required under existing legislation.