The Renters' Rights Act information sheet: what landlords needed to do, and what to do now

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What is the Renters' Rights Act information sheet?

The Renters' Rights Act information sheet is a short document published by the government on GOV.UK under the title "The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026" [1]. It isn't a form you fill in. It's a standard explainer that you pass to your tenants so they understand what changed in their tenancy from 1 May 2026.

The government's roadmap set out why it exists. From 1 May 2026, most existing tenancies in England's private rented sector became assured periodic tenancies [2]. Rather than make every landlord rewrite every existing written agreement, the roadmap said landlords with existing written tenancies would instead need to give tenants a copy of the government-published information sheet on or before 31 May 2026 [2].

In practice, the sheet covers the headline changes from phase 1, which include:

• tenancies becoming rolling (periodic) rather than fixed-term [2][3]
• the end of section 21 "no-fault" evictions, with landlords using section 8 grounds instead [2]
• the revised section 13 process for rent increases, with at least two months' notice [2]
• tenants being able to end a tenancy with two months' notice [2]
• tenants being able to ask to keep a pet, which landlords must consider [2]

Who had to give the Renters' Rights Act information sheet?

GOV.UK says "most landlords and letting agents" had to give the information sheet to their tenants by 31 May 2026 [1]. The roadmap describes the group more precisely: landlords in the private rented sector with existing written tenancies, meaning tenancies created before 1 May 2026 [2].

The rules split three ways:

So a brand new tenancy doesn't need the information sheet. It needs the new written information instead. Our Renters' Rights Act checklist covers that side.

When a landlord must give the information sheet after 31 May 2026

There's one group with a later trigger. GOV.UK says the after-deadline rules apply only to landlords who gave a valid section 21 or section 8 notice before 1 May 2026 [1]. Where that notice is no longer valid, or when the court process has finished, the tenancy becomes an assured periodic tenancy and the Renters' Rights Act rules then apply to it [1]. If that's you, read the GOV.UK page for the exact timing before you act, because it depends on how your notice or court case ended.

Renters' Rights Act information sheet deadline: what if you missed it?

The deadline was 31 May 2026 [1]. The government's page is direct about the risk: "You must give this Information Sheet by 31 May 2026, or you could be fined up to £7,000" [1].

If you're reading this and realise you never sent it, we'd suggest three things:

1. Send it now. Download the current version from GOV.UK [1] and give it to every tenant named on the tenancy.
2. Keep proof. Note the date, the method and who received it. An email with the PDF attached gives you a timestamp.
3. Take advice. We can't tell you how a council will treat a late sheet in your case. A landlord association or a solicitor can.

Don't try to write your own version or summarise it in a text message. The point of the sheet is that it's the official government wording.

How to give the information sheet to your tenants

GOV.UK publishes the sheet itself; your job is to get a copy to each tenant and be able to show you did [1]. A simple process:

1. Get the current file from GOV.UK. Use the official page, not a copy from a forum, so you know it's the right version [1].
2. Check who your tenants are. On a joint tenancy, send it to each tenant named on the agreement.
3. Choose a method you can prove. Hand delivery, post or email all leave a trail if you record them. Email works well if your tenancy agreement allows notices by email.
4. Record the date. Write down when and how you sent it.
5. File the proof against the property. Keep it with the tenancy agreement, so it's there if a council or tribunal ever asks.

That last step is where most of us slip. A sheet emailed in May is easy to lose by the following spring. In Gaffy, every property has its own document vault, so you can upload the sheet and your proof of sending next to the tenancy agreement, gas safety certificate, EICR and EPC. See how the document vault works.

What else changed on 1 May 2026?

The information sheet exists because a lot changed at once. The phase 1 changes from 1 May 2026, according to the government roadmap and landlord guidance, include [2][3]:

• Assured periodic tenancies. Most new and existing tenancies became rolling. Tenants can stay until they end the tenancy or a landlord serves a valid section 8 notice and gets a court order [2][3].
• Section 21 abolished. Landlords now rely on the section 8 grounds. See our guide to the Renters' Rights Act notice period.
• Rent increases once a year using form 4A and at least two months' notice. See Renters' Rights Act rent increases.
• Pets. Tenants can ask in writing and you must respond within 28 days. See Renters' Rights Act pets.
• Rent in advance. You can only require up to one month's rent between signing the tenancy and the tenancy starting [3].
• Rental bidding banned. Adverts must show the asking rent, and you can't accept offers above it [4].

What's coming next for landlords

The information sheet covers phase 1. The roadmap lists more to come [2]:

• Private rented sector database: rollout from late 2026, mandatory for landlords, with an annual fee to be confirmed. See our private rented sector database guide.
• Landlord Ombudsman: mandatory membership expected in 2028. See our landlord ombudsman guide.
• Awaab's Law and the Decent Homes Standard for private renting, with timings subject to consultation [2].

Does the information sheet apply in Wales or Scotland?

No. The Renters' Rights Act tenancy reforms described here apply to England [4]. Wales and Scotland have their own renting laws.

FAQs

What is the Renters' Rights Act information sheet?

It's the official government document, published on GOV.UK, that explains how tenancies changed under the Renters' Rights Act from 1 May 2026. Most landlords had to give it to existing tenants [1][2].

What was the Renters' Rights Act information sheet deadline?

31 May 2026 [1].

Is there a fine for not giving the information sheet?

Yes. GOV.UK says landlords who didn't give it by 31 May 2026 could be fined up to £7,000 [1].

Do new tenancies need the information sheet?

No. Tenancies agreed from 1 May 2026 need certain information given in writing before the tenancy is agreed instead [4][5].

What about tenants with no written agreement?

For verbal tenancies, landlords had to give a written record of the terms by 31 May 2026 [4].

Where can I download the Renters' Rights Act information sheet PDF?

From the GOV.UK page "The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026" [1].

Can I email the information sheet?

GOV.UK lists ways to serve rent increase notices that include email where the tenancy agreement allows it [6]. For the information sheet, use a method you can prove and keep a record.

How does Gaffy help?

Each property in Gaffy has a document vault, so the information sheet and your proof of sending sit with the tenancy agreement. Gaffy also flags gas safety, EICR and EPC certificates before they expire and gives tenants a repair link with no app. It's £12 a month for up to 5 properties, plus £4 a month for each extra property, and the first month is free.

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Sources

1. GOV.UK, The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-renters-rights-act-information-sheet-2026
2. GOV.UK, Implementing the Renters' Rights Act 2025: our roadmap: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renters-rights-act-2025-implementation-roadmap/implementing-the-renters-rights-act-2025-our-roadmap-for-reforming-the-private-rented-sector
3. GOV.UK campaign hub, Renting is changing: https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/renting-is-changing/
4. MHCLG landlord checklist (PDF): https://housinghub.campaign.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/172/2026/04/503154_MHCLG_PRS_A4_Checklist_Web.pdf
5. GOV.UK, Written information you need to give to your tenant: https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/written-information-you-need-to-give-to-your-tenant
6. GOV.UK, Assured periodic tenancies, rent increases: https://www.gov.uk/assured-tenancy-agreements-a-guide-for-landlords/rent-increases