The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet: a landlord's guide

On 20 March 2026 the government published the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet: a four-page PDF that tells tenants how the new law changes their tenancy. Most landlords in England had to give it to existing tenants by 31 May 2026. Missing it can mean a fine of up to £7,000.

If you use a letting agent, you may assume they sent it. Here's who needed it, how it had to be given, when it's still due, and what to do if it slipped through.

Who had to get the Information Sheet

You had to give it if the tenancy:

• was an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• started before 1 May 2026, and
• had its terms recorded in writing, wholly or partly, such as in a tenancy agreement

Every tenant named on the agreement needed their own copy. Lodgers didn't need one, and the law didn't require you to change or reissue your existing tenancy agreement.

Verbal tenancies were different. If a tenancy that started before May had nothing in writing, you couldn't use the Information Sheet. You had to give a written statement of the key terms instead, also by 31 May 2026.

New tenancies don't get it. A tenancy agreed on or after 1 May 2026 needs a written statement of terms before it's agreed, not the Information Sheet. The government's guidance on written information sets out what it must include.

How it had to be given

The rules are strict about format. The sheet only counts if it's the exact PDF from the GOV.UK page, given in one of two ways:

• a printed copy, posted or handed to each tenant, or
• the PDF attached to an email or text message

Sending a link to the PDF doesn't count. Neither does a version you've retyped, rebranded or summarised.

If you use a letting agent

The guidance says that where an agent manages the property, the agent must give the sheet too, even if you've already given it. Most managing agents sent it on their landlords' behalf, but the duty and the fine still sit with you, so don't assume. Ask your agent for:

• the date it was sent to each tenant
• how it was sent: by post, by hand or as an attachment
• a copy of the covering email or letter

If you're thinking of changing agent, get this proof before you go. It belongs in the tenancy file you take with you, alongside everything else in our handover checklist.

When it's still due after 31 May

One group of landlords had a later deadline. If you served a valid section 21 or section 8 notice before 1 May 2026, the old rules applied until the notice lapsed or the court case ended. When that happens without a possession order, the tenancy becomes an assured periodic tenancy, and you have one month to give the Information Sheet.

Section 21 notices that weren't taken to court lapsed by 31 July 2026, so for many of those tenancies the sheet was due by the end of August. Where a court case ends later without possession, the month runs from that date. Our guide to what replaced section 21 explains the rest.

If your tenant didn't get it

1. Send it now. Download the PDF from GOV.UK and give it to every named tenant, by post, by hand or as an attachment. Giving it late doesn't undo the breach, but it stops it continuing.
2. Record what you did. Keep the date, the method and the names with your tenancy file.
3. Check the rest of the file. If the sheet was missed, other things may have been too: deposit protection, prescribed information, safety certificates and the How to Rent guide.
4. Ask whether your agent is keeping up. A missed deadline in May is a warning sign for the deadlines still to come, such as rent increases on the right form and the landlord register.

Councils have had stronger powers to investigate landlords and agents since 27 December 2025, including demanding documents. A clean, complete file is your best protection.

This guide covers England and is general information, not legal advice. It was checked in October 2026.