On 1 May 2026, the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 comes into effect. At this stage, all existing assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) will automatically transition into assured periodic tenancies. This is a major development for the private rented sector, with important implications including how landlords can recover possession, rent increases, rental bidding, anti‑discrimination rules, and tenants’ rights—such as the ability to keep pets.
To support awareness of these changes, the Government issued the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026. Landlords and managing agents now have compliance duties that must be completed by statutory deadlines.
Immediate Requirements for Landlords
1. Tenancies with Written (or Part‑Written) Terms
Landlords must provide each tenant named on the tenancy agreement with a copy of the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026. The Information Sheet is only valid when downloaded from this link on gov.uk
The Information Sheet must be served as:
- a printed hard copy (posted or hand‑delivered), or
- a PDF attachment sent by email or text message.
Sending a link to the online document is not legally sufficient, and landlords should retain evidence of how and when the Information Sheet was provided.
Where a letting agent manages the tenancy, the agent must also send the Information Sheet, even if the landlord has already done so.
The Information Sheet does not need to be given to lodgers.
2. Purely Oral Tenancies
If the tenancy was created orally and there is no written record of the terms, the Information Sheet cannot be used.
Instead, landlords must supply tenants with a written statement of key terms of the tenancy, including:
- rent and other payments,
- how the landlord may end the tenancy, and
- statutory obligations regarding the condition of the property.
Regulations set out the required content, although there is no prescribed template.
3. Student Lets (Private Landlords)
Landlords letting to students must give additional written notice if they intend to rely on possession ground 4A, which allows recovery of possession between 1 June and 30 September each year.
For possession at the end of the 2025/26 academic year:
- notice of intention to rely on ground 4A must be given by 31 May 2026, and
- a separate possession notice (minimum two months) must be served between 1 May and 30 July 2026.
Failure to meet either deadline means the landlord cannot use ground 4A for that academic year.
Why the deadline matters
Landlords (and managing agents) must provide the Information Sheet or, for oral tenancies, the written statement of terms by no later than 31 May 2026.
Missing this deadline may result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000.
How we can help
These reforms introduce a number of new procedural steps and obligations for landlords and agents. If you would like tailored advice on how the act affects your portfolio, or if you need assistance ensuring compliance before the key deadline, please get in touch.
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