What the Information Sheet is
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 and reforms the private rented sector in England — abolishing Section 21 evictions, converting assured shorthold tenancies into periodic assured tenancies from 1 May 2026, and bringing in new rules on rent increases, eviction grounds, pets, and tenancy practice.
To make sure tenants know what changed, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government published an official document called "The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026". Landlords are required to serve this document on existing tenants.
Who must serve it — and by when
If you are a landlord (or you are a letting agent managing on a landlord's behalf) and a tenancy was in place before 1 May 2026, you must give the Information Sheet to every named tenant by 31 May 2026.
Specifically, the duty applies to landlords of assured periodic tenancies where the tenancy is wholly or partially in writing. In practice for letting agents: almost every tenancy in your managed portfolio. The Sheet must be served either digitally (email) or as a printed copy. Both routes are valid.
If you served a valid Section 21 or Section 8 notice before 1 May 2026, the duty differs — that's covered in the checklist below.
What it costs you if you miss
Beyond the financial exposure, missed service weakens your position in any subsequent dispute over the tenancy. Local authority investigatory powers under the Act have been in force since 27 December 2025, which means councils already have the right to demand evidence that the Information Sheet was served, by whom, and on what date.
What you need to do — preview of the free checklist
The 8 steps to comply.
The full checklist (with statutory references, evidence to retain, and exception cases) is yours when you put your email below. Preview:
- Pull a full list of every managed tenancy with a start date before 1 May 2026.
- Identify which tenancies had a valid s.21 or s.8 notice served before 1 May 2026 (these are exempt).
- Download the official Information Sheet PDF from gov.uk — do not alter, do not reformat.
- Choose digital or printed service per tenancy — the rules and evidence requirements differ.
- Send to every named tenant, not just the lead tenant on the agreement.
- Capture evidence of service: email timestamp, delivery confirmation, or signed printed acknowledgement.
- Log the service date in your tenancy file so it survives any future audit.
- For exceptions (e.g. tenants you cannot reach), document the steps taken — councils require the trail.