Posted Wednesday 25th March 2026
From 1 May 2026, major changes in the private rental market will take effect under the Renters’ Rights Act (“the Act”). One of the key changes is a new obligation for landlords to provide tenants with prescribed information about their tenancy. The form in which that information must be given will depend on the nature and circumstances of the tenancy. Landlords must ensure that the correct information is provided by 31 May 2026 (“the Deadline”) or they could face potential fines of up to £7,000.
Existing assured or assured shorthold tenancies with a written agreement
The Government has published an information sheet that summarises the key changes brought about by the Act. This sheet must be given to each tenant named in the tenancy agreement before the Deadline.
Landlords must use the information sheet if the tenancy:
The information sheet can be found here – The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 – GOV.UK.
Landlords can deliver the information sheet to tenants by post, hand delivery, or by sending it electronically by email as a PDF attachment.
Tenancies based on verbal agreement or those created on or after 1 May 2026
If there is no written record of the terms of the tenancy, or if the tenancy is granted on or after 1 May 2026, landlords will need to provide key information about the terms of the tenancy to each named tenant.
If the tenancy is based purely on a verbal agreement and was created before 1 May 2026, landlords will need to provide this information before the Deadline.
If the tenancy is created on or after 1 May 2026, landlords will need to provide this information before the tenancy agreement is completed (or the terms are agreed if the tenancy is to be verbal).
There is an extensive list of prescribed information that will need to be provided to tenants. The full list can be found here – Written_information_that_must_be_given_to_tenants-_landlord_guidance.pdf.
Government guidance recommends including this information within the body of the tenancy agreement, but it can also be provided separately.
Conclusion
With the Deadline fast approaching, landlords need to ensure that they comply with the new obligations. Failure to comply risks enforcement action and fines of up to £7,000.
If you would like to discuss the above information obligations or any of the other changes brought into effect by the Act further with us, please do not hesitate to contact our Property Litigation team.
This article is for reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking or deciding not to take any action.
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