The Renters' Rights Act information sheet

Updated 21 October 2026. Checked against official sources.

If you had a private tenancy with a written agreement in place before 1 May 2026, you had to give every named tenant a copy of the government's "The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026" by 31 May 2026. It explains how the Renters' Rights Act changed their tenancy. Not giving it can mean a fine of up to £7,000.

What it is: A 4-page document from the government, the same for everyone. You don't fill anything in. Download it from GOV.UK.
Who needs it: Every tenant named on a private assured tenancy (including former assured shortholds) that started before 1 May 2026 and is wholly or partly in writing.
Deadline: 31 May 2026.
Who gives it: The landlord. If an agent manages the property, the agent must give it too.
How: A printed copy by post or in person, or the PDF attached to an email or text. A link isn't enough.
If you don't: A council fine of up to £7,000.

I missed the 31 May 2026 deadline. What now?

Send it now. The official guidance sets out the fine but doesn't say what to do after the deadline. Our view: giving it late is far better than not at all, because it ends the breach from that day, and proof of when you sent it shows a council you put it right.

Download the PDF from GOV.UK. Use it exactly as published: don't edit it, rebrand it or copy the text into your own document.
Send a copy to every named tenant, not just the lead tenant. Attach the PDF to an email or text, or post or hand over a printed copy.
Keep proof: the sent email, a certificate of posting, or a signed note of hand delivery.

Which tenants don't need it?

Tenants with no written agreement at all. They need something different: written information about the key terms of their tenancy, also due by 31 May 2026, with the same £7,000 maximum fine.
Lodgers living in your own home.
Social housing tenancies.
Tenancies that started on or after 1 May 2026. These need a written statement of terms before the tenancy is agreed instead (see below).

One late case: if you served a valid section 8 or section 21 notice before 1 May 2026 and it later stops being valid, or the court case ends without possession, you have one month from then to give the information sheet.

You don't need to rewrite or reissue an existing tenancy agreement.

What do new tenancies need instead?

For tenancies agreed from 1 May 2026, the government's How to Rent guide was withdrawn. Instead you must give the tenant a written statement of the tenancy's terms, with the information the regulations set out, before the tenancy is signed or agreed. The maximum fine for not doing so is also £7,000. Everything else the Renters' Rights Act changed.

Keep track of what each tenancy needs

Our tracker will record what you gave each tenant and when, alongside every certificate. Join early access and we'll email you once when it opens. See what it does.

Questions landlords ask

What is the Renters' Rights Act information sheet?

A 4-page government document explaining how the Renters' Rights Act changed existing tenancies. Landlords had to give it to every named tenant on a written private tenancy that started before 1 May 2026.

When was the deadline for the information sheet?

31 May 2026. If you missed it, send it now and keep proof of when you did.

Can I email the information sheet to tenants?

Yes, as a PDF attachment to an email or text. Sending a link to the GOV.UK page is not enough.

Does every tenant need a copy?

Yes. Every tenant named on the tenancy agreement must get one, not just the lead tenant.

What is the fine for not giving the information sheet?

A council can fine you up to £7,000.

Do I need to give the information sheet to new tenants?

No. Tenancies agreed from 1 May 2026 need a written statement of terms before the tenancy is agreed instead.

Official sources

Rules checked against GOV.UK, HSE and legislation.gov.uk on 21 October 2026. This is guidance, not legal advice. How this site works.