The government has now published the official Information Sheet required under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
This document is designed to give existing assured tenants in the private rented a clear explanation of how their rights and tenancies will change from 1 May 2026.
The prescribed form provides tenants with an overview of the upcoming legal changes, including:
- The move from fixed‑term tenancies to the new periodic tenancy model
- The abolition of Section 21 “no‑fault” evictions and the protections replacing them
- Updated rules on rent increases and possession grounds
- Strengthened tenant rights to challenge unfair practices
- How tenants can seek support or make a complaint
The format is fixed and must not be altered. No tailoring or branding is permitted.
Landlords in the private rented sector must provide the Information Sheet to all assured and assured shorthold tenants whose tenancies began or will begin before 1 May 2026.
Key points:
- It must be served no later than 31 May 2026
- Government guidance recommends serving it as early as possible to avoid non‑compliance
- Every named tenant must receive a copy
- Lodgers do not need to receive it
- In HMOs or shared households, each tenant must be given their own copy unless they share a single written agreement
- If a letting agent manages the property, both the landlord and the agent are responsible for ensuring the tenant receives it
The Information Sheet can be served in one of two ways:
- Hard copy: printed and posted or handed to the tenant
- Electronic copy: the PDF sent as an attachment (e.g., email providing that your tenant has confirmed that documents can be served via email)
Importantly, sending a link to the PDF is not valid service.
For tenancies due to start before 1 May 2026, it is sensible to provide the Information Sheet at sign‑up to avoid any later dispute.
If a tenancy was created verbally before 1 May 2026, the Information Sheet cannot be used. In these cases, landlords must instead provide a written Statement of Terms, ideally in the form of a written tenancy agreement.
Failure to provide the Information Sheet is a breach of statutory duty under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. Potential consequences include:
- Civil penalties starting at around £4,000, rising to £7,000 where aggravating factors apply
- Continued non‑compliance for more than 28 days may escalate to a criminal offence, with fines up to £40,000 or prosecution in serious cases
Private sector landlords should be aware that the Government has now released draft versions of several key statutory forms that will apply from 1 May 2026 under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
These include:
- The new Notice of Seeking Possession
- The updated statutory rent increase notice (Form 4A)
- Additional revised forms that will replace existing versions after implementation of the Act
We strongly encourage all landlords and agents to familiarise themselves with these draft documents as soon as possible. Understanding the new formats and requirements now will ensure you are fully prepared to use the correct forms for any action taken on or after 1 May 2026 in relation to private rented sector properties.
Contact us today on 0161 696 6170 for any general landlord and tenant queries/eviction advice or contact our commercial property team with assistance in drafting new tenancy agreements.
Comments