New Rules for Landlords 2026 and Tenant Information Sheet Requirement
In this article, our Landlord and Tenant Solicitors outline landlords' obligation to provide their tenants with information sheets under the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
It is essential that all landlords understand the information sheet compliance requirements, the deadlines, what they need to do now and the risks of noncompliance.
If you are a landlord who has questions about how the Renters' Rights Act 2025 (introduced in stages from 1 May 2026) will affect your relationship with your tenants and the new rules for landlords 2026 UK, then the specialist team of Landlord and Tenant Lawyers can help you.
The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 imposes a duty on landlords to send their tenants a copy of the 2026 Renters' Rights Act information sheet. There is a landlord compliance deadline. The sheet must be sent to all tenants, whether their tenancy agreement was entered into before or after some of the provisions in the Act come into force on 31 May 2026.
The information sheet can be found here.
Why do landlords have to provide tenants with the 2026 information sheet?
The government published the information sheet in March 2026, and it provides information on:
- The key changes for tenants and landlords introduced in the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
- Tenant rights and the 2025 Act.
- Tenant obligations under the 2025 Act.
What is in the information sheet?
The information sheet provides tenants with information on the key changes introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025, and outlines the new rules on:
- Possession proceedings, notice to quit periods and eviction.
- The end of fixed-term tenancy agreements and the introduction of rolling or periodic tenancies.
- Rent increases – limited to one per year, with the landlord following the Section 13 notice process.
- Tenant rights, including the right to keep a pet and property standards.
- The requirement for written terms.
31 May 2026 landlord deadline
Landlords in England must send their tenants a copy of the 2026 information sheet by the Renters' Rights Act deadline of 31 May 2026. The sheet can be downloaded and either sent digitally, posted, or hand-delivered.
The sheet must be sent to all named tenants. Landlords must provide it to every named tenant by 31 May 2026, either digitally or as a printed copy. Providing a link to the information sheet in an email or text message will not suffice; to comply with the rules, landlords must attach the leaflet as an unaltered PDF without alteration.
31 May 2026 letting agent deadline
Letting agents are also obliged to send tenants of managed properties a copy of the information sheet. This is a requirement even where the landlord has sent the notice and provided the agent with evidence of that.
Risks of noncompliance
If a landlord does not send a tenant the 2026 information sheet by 31 May 2026, they risk a fine of up to £7,000.
If the landlord does not send the information sheet to the tenant after receiving a first fine, then they could face further penalties and fines, up to a maximum of £40,000.
Which tenants should be sent the 2026 information sheet?
Landlords, or letting agents on their behalf, must provide a tenant with the information sheet if:
- The tenant has an assured or an assured shorthold tenancy.
- The tenancy agreement was entered into before 1 May 2026.
- There is a written record of the tenancy agreement. This can be a full or partial written record.
Which occupiers should not be sent the 2026 information sheet?
A landlord does not need to send an information sheet to a lodger. If landlords are uncertain whether an occupier is a lodger, licensee or tenant, they should take landlord and tenant legal advice.
If an occupier is a tenant but the tenancy is based on an oral agreement between landlord and tenant, the information sheet should not be sent to the tenant. Instead, the landlord must provide the tenant with prescribed information.
Are landlords required to change tenancy agreements with tenants?
Many landlords are questioning whether they need to ask all tenants with tenancy agreements signed before 1 May 2026 to sign a new tenancy agreement. This is not necessary if you have a written tenancy agreement. If there is a verbal tenancy agreement, you should not send the information sheet; instead, give the tenant the prescribed information. We also recommend seeking legal advice from a Landlord Solicitor on the advisability of a written tenancy agreement.
What landlords must do before May 2026.
If you are a landlord of one property or multiple properties, you need to:
- Download the PDF of the government information sheet.
- Check all tenancy agreements for the names of tenants – some agreements may be joint, and others may be in the name of one tenant, although you are aware that the tenant’s partner lives with them.
- Send each tenant a PDF of the information sheet, either by post, digitally or in person. Check the tenancy agreement to see how it says the landlord must send communications to the tenant.
- If you have more than one tenant, make a list of the tenants and keep a record of when and how the information sheet was served.
- If a letting agent manages the properties, check that they have also sent the information sheet to the tenant.
Depending on your relationship with your tenant and the property's condition, you may receive additional maintenance and repair requests. If you are uncertain about the extent of your landlord obligations and tenant rights after the introduction of the Renters' Rights Act, then talk to one of our Landlord and Tenant Solicitors about the extent of your obligations and your tenant’s rights. It is best to seek early, proactive legal advice from a Landlord Solicitor to reduce the risk of a letter before action and a notice of claim for housing disrepair.
Contact OTS Solicitors For Landlord and Tenant Legal Advice on the Renters' Rights Act.
Appointments are available at our offices in central London, by phone, or via online consultation.
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