At the third time of asking, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has granted an application to modify a restrictive covenant to permit a second dwelling to be built on a plot of land. The land, on which a small partly thatched cottage had originally stood, had been...
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 comes into force on 1 May 2026, bringing a number of changes for landlords across England. One of the most immediate requirements is a straightforward but important administrative step that applies to most existing tenancies, and the deadline to get it done is tight.
What do landlords need to do?
If you have an existing assured shorthold tenancy or assured tenancy that is wholly or partly in writing, you must provide your tenant with a copy of the official **Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026**. This is a government-produced document that explains to tenants how the new legislation may affect their tenancy.
This applies to the vast majority of private residential lettings, though it does not apply to lodgers.
What exactly needs to be provided?
Landlords must give tenants a copy of the Information Sheet as an exact PDF, downloaded directly from GOV.UK. It cannot be rewritten, summarised, branded or altered in any way, and landlords must use the version found on the official government page.
The Information Sheet can be downloaded here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-renters-rights-act-information-sheet-2026
When is the deadline?
The Information Sheet must be provided to tenants by 31 May 2026
Failure to comply can result in a civil penalty.
How should it be sent?
The method of delivery matters, and landlords need to get this right to avoid any challenge to compliance.
The Information Sheet must be provided as either a printed hard copy (posted or handed to the tenant in person) or as a PDF attachment sent electronically, for example by email.
Simply sending a link to the GOV.UK page by email or text message is not sufficient and will not meet the legal requirement.
A copy must be given to every individual tenant named on the tenancy agreement.
What about letting agents?
This is an important point that landlords who use managing agents should be aware of. Where a letting agent manages the property on the landlord's behalf, the agent is also required to provide the Information Sheet to the tenant, even if the landlord has already done so. This is a dual obligation, and both parties should ensure they have met it independently.
What about tenancies without a written agreement?
Where a tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement made before 1 May 2026, the Information Sheet should not be given. Instead, the landlord must provide certain written information setting out the key terms of the tenancy. This is a separate legal requirement and carries the same deadline of 31 May 2026.
The government has published detailed guidance on what must be included in this written information:
For landlords who currently have verbal tenancies, this is also a good opportunity to formalise the arrangement in writing before the new rules take full effect.
Looking ahead
This is one of a number of changes being introduced under the Renters' Rights Act. While the day-to-day running of tenancies will remain broadly familiar, there are wider implications around possession, rent increases and longer-term planning that landlords will need to consider carefully.
We will be sharing further guidance on these areas in due course.
If you have any questions about how the changes may affect your property or portfolio, please contact our property or dispute resolution teams.