Information sheet - everything landlords need to know
The Government has introduced a new requirement for landlords and letting agents in England: tenants must now be given an “Information Sheet” explaining the key changes under the Renters’ Rights Act.
This document is designed to help tenants understand how the new legislation affects their tenancy, while also ensuring landlords and agents remain compliant and understand the new changes.
As a reminder - the Renters' Rights Act applies to England and this advice does not apply to landlords who live with a lodger.
Who needs to provide it?
Landlords and letting agents in England must provide it to their tenants.
If you’re a landlord using a letting agent, the responsibility falls on the agent to provide the document to the tenant - even if you have already done so yourself.
Which tenancies does this apply to?
You must provide the Information Sheet if the tenancy:
- Is an assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
- Was created before 1 May 2026, or
- Has any written record of terms (including a tenancy agreement, whether fully or partially written)
If your current agreement is only verbal and was created before 1 May 2026, you cannot provide the Information Sheet. Instead, you must give tenants written information outlining the key terms of the tenancy. Find out more about this here.
A copy must be given to each tenant named on the tenancy agreement, sending it only to the lead tenant or providing one copy per household is not sufficient.
When is the deadline?
The Information Sheet must be given to tenants by 31 May 2026.
Failure to do so could result in a financial penalty of up to £7,000, so it’s important not to miss the deadline.
You can share the Information Sheet with tenants multiple times before the deadline to avoid any confusion or disputes about whether it was received.
How should it be delivered?
There are strict rules on how the document must be shared. You can:
- Provide a printed copy by post or by hand, or
- Send the PDF as an attachment via email or text message
Simply sending a link to the document via email or text message is not sufficient and will not meet the legal requirement.
Do I need to update my tenancy agreements?
No, there is no requirement to amend or reissue existing tenancy agreements.
Final tips:
- Download the official version directly from the Government website
- Keep records of how and when the document was shared with tenants
- If sending by post, allow enough time for it to arrive before the deadline
For new tenancies from the 1st May 2026 you'll be required to give tenants certain written information, for more information check out the government website.
For further information on upcoming changes: Refer back to the Government's guide to the Renters' Rights Act.
Disclaimer - This is for general information purposes only and shouldn't be treated as legal advice. We recommend you consult an experienced solicitor if you need specific legal advice