All private landlords in England must deliver an official government Information Sheet to existing tenants by Sunday (31 May) or risk a £7,000 fine. The requirement is part of the Renters' Rights Act which came into effect on 1 May.
The mandate requires the documentation to be served digitally or via hard copy to every named tenant on a current written tenancy across both managed and self-managed portfolios.
While landlords are not required to issue entirely new tenancy agreements for most existing tenancies, any arrangements currently operating under verbal agreements must be formalised in writing by the same Sunday deadline.
The official information sheet, downloadable as a PDF from the government website, must be sent directly to tenants, meaning a web link alone WILL NOT constitute valid legal service.
Tough time for small landlords
Elliot Castle, the chief executive of Castle Property Group, said smaller landlords who also have other careers may not yet have got to grips with their new responsibilities, while bigger landlords are likely to have met the deadline already.
Mr Castle said: "Failure to comply with the new rules set out in the Renters' Rights Act may mean a penalty of up to £7,000 or £40,000 depending on the nature of the rule-break.
"The Act is coming into force in phases so more changes will be introduced later this year, including an online register of all landlords and rental properties in England."
He added: "There's no doubt that while the new rules are there to make positive changes in the industry, it's going to be an incredibly tough time for smaller landlords as they get to grips with significant hikes in both costs and complexity.
"It's really important landlords get to grips with these changes - and fast."
Avoid an expensive oversight
Scott Goldstein, property disputes partner at law firm Payne Hicks Beach, said the task of serving the information sheet to tenants is critical.
He said: "Many landlords will think the heavy lifting is done, but the seemingly mundane task of serving the Information Sheet to existing tenants by 31 May 2026 is just as critical.
"It should cover key changes to tenancy law including the abolition of fixed terms and section 21, the new possession grounds, changes to rent review and tenants' new rights.
"Providing written terms of the tenancy, if there had previously been a verbal agreement, is also now mandatory."
He warns: "Miss it and what looks like a straightforward piece of paperwork can quickly become a £7,000 per property fine.
"This could be a major trap for the average private landlord with two to four properties who could face costs of up to £28,000 - a very expensive oversight."
Information Sheet rules
The deadline applies to assured and assured shorthold tenancies established before 1 May 2026 where there is a partly or wholly written record of the terms, including a tenancy agreement.
Landlords and letting agents must use the PDF published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government which can be printed and posted or handed to tenants or sent as an email attachment.
Sending an email or text message containing only a link to the document will not count as valid service.
Existing written tenancy agreements do not have to be replaced.
However, where a tenancy was agreed before 1 May and was based entirely on a verbal agreement, landlords cannot send the information sheet instead.
They must give the tenant written information about key terms of the tenancy by the same deadline.
Student landlords must meet the deadline
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "The task is simple but incredibly important.
"Some smaller landlords may inadvertently miss the deadline because they are busy with other things – and that could be an expensive mistake."
He added: "For student landlords who use an agent, it is probably a good idea to send the Information Sheet yourself for peace of mind.”
More information
To download the official Information Sheet, this Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) link should be used.
Remember, sending the link to a tenant will not be valid, and landlords must serve the document digitally or in hard copy.
Also, proof of delivery will be essential. The government has also produced the Information Sheet in other alternative formats.
