Landlords: Have You Sent Your Tenants the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet?

If you are a private landlord in England with existing tenants, there is a deadline you need to be aware of. Under the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, which came into force on 1 May 2026, most landlords with written tenancy agreements are required to send their tenants an official government Information Sheet. The deadline to do this is 31 May 2026.

This is not optional. Missing the deadline could result in a fine of up to £7,000 per tenancy. Here is what you need to know.

The Government have produced a campaign that talks you through your obligations.

What Is the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet?

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 is the biggest shake-up of the private rented sector in England in over 35 years. Phase one came into force on 1 May 2026 and introduces a significant number of changes for both landlords and tenants.

To help existing tenants understand what has changed and how it affects them, the government has produced an official Information Sheet. It covers key changes including the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions, the transition from fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies to periodic tenancies, changes to how rent increases work, possession rules, and the new process for tenants requesting to keep a pet.

The document is produced by the government specifically for this purpose. Landlords cannot substitute it with their own summary or covering letter. It must be the exact PDF downloaded from GOV.UK.

Who Needs to Send It?

The requirement applies to you if all of the following are true:

• You are a private landlord (or letting agent) in England
• The tenancy is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• The tenancy was created before 1 May 2026
• There is a written tenancy agreement, or the terms are wholly or partly recorded in writing

You do not need to send it to lodgers. If your tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement made before 1 May 2026, different rules apply;  you will need to provide written information about the key terms of the tenancy instead. This is a less common situation, but worth checking if it applies to you.

What If I Use a Letting Agent?

If your property is fully managed by a letting agent, the agent is also required to provide the Information Sheet to your tenants; even if you have already done so yourself. Do not assume your agent has handled it without checking. Confirm it with them directly and get confirmation in writing.

How Do You Send It?

The government has been clear about how the Information Sheet must be provided. There are a few important points to note:

• It must be the exact PDF downloaded from the official GOV.UK page, it is only valid when obtained from that source
• You could send it digitally as a PDF attachment, or provide a printed hard copy
• You must not send a link to the PDF, this will not be valid
• Every named tenant on the tenancy agreement must receive their own copy
• Keep a record of when you sent it, how you sent it, and to whom

You could download the official Information Sheet directly from GOV.UK.

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

The deadline is 31 May 2026. Missing it, or failing to send the document correctly, could result in a fine of up to £7,000. For landlords with multiple tenancies, that exposure adds up quickly. The deadline should be treated as a firm one, not an approximate target.

If a tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement and the landlord fails to provide the required written key terms, tenants could complain to their local council, who could impose a fine of up to £7,000 in that situation too.

The Practical Checklist

If you have existing tenants in England on a written assured or assured shorthold tenancy, here is what to do before 31 May 2026:

• Download the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 from GOV.UK
• Identify every named tenant on each tenancy agreement
• Send each tenant their own copy, either as a PDF attachment or a printed copy, not as a link
• If you use a letting agent, confirm in writing that they are doing the same
• Keep a clear record of when and how each copy was sent

Is the Renters’ Rights Act Prompting You to Review Your Position?

For many landlords, the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act are prompting a wider review of their property portfolio. Whether that means revisiting your buy-to-let mortgage, considering whether your current borrowing still makes sense, or thinking about your longer-term plans, it is worth having a conversation with a mortgage adviser who understands the buy-to-let market.

We work with a comprehensive panel of lenders and we do not charge a fee for our mortgage advice. If you would like to talk through your options, get in touch.

Please note: As mortgage advisers, we are unable to provide legal advice on landlord obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. If you have specific questions about your legal position, please seek advice from a qualified legal or lettings professional.

Ready to review your buy-to-let mortgage or borrowing position? Book a free, no-obligation call with us today.