The government has published the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026. This is the prescribed document for existing assured or assured shorthold tenancies in England that are wholly or partly in writing on 1 May 2026.
If that applies, the information sheet should be given to the tenant between 1 May 2026 and 31 May 2026. It should not be given before 1 May. The cautious view is that early service carries risk because of the county court appeal decision in Siddeeq v Alaian and the similar statutory wording about the period "beginning with" the commencement date.
Landlords who fail to provide the information sheet could face a financial penalty of up to £7,000 from the local authority.
Where a landlord has contracted with a letting agent to ensure compliance, the safest view is that both the landlord and the agent should provide the information sheet. That follows the contractor wording in Schedule 6 paragraph 7(3) of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the government's stakeholder guidance.
When this form is used
- Existing assured or assured shorthold tenancies in England that are wholly or partly in writing on 1 May 2026.
- It explains the changes made by the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
- It is a transitional document for existing written tenancies. It is not the written statement required for new tenancies from 1 May 2026.
Important points
- Give it between 1 May and 31 May 2026.
- Give the tenant the exact PDF from GOV.UK, either as a printed hard copy or as a PDF attachment, for example, to an email or text. Do not just send a link to the GOV.UK page, as a link is not valid service according to their guidance.
- Do not give it before 1 May 2026.
- If the tenancy is wholly oral, the information sheet is not sufficient. A written statement with the prescribed information is required instead.
- If a letting agent is contracted to ensure compliance, both the landlord and the agent should each give their own copy.
- When the agent is serving, the email or covering letter should clearly identify which copy is the landlord’s. Section 16H of the Housing Act 1988 lets the agent discharge the landlord’s duty when acting on the landlord’s behalf.
Download
Download the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 from GOV.UK.
Related guidance
