Landlords across England have just days left to comply with one of the first hard deadlines under the new Renters’ Rights Act 2026 or face fines of up to £7,000.
By 31 May 2026, all landlords with active tenancies must provide every existing tenant with a copy of the Government’s official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet.
Those who fail to do so risk a financial penalty of up to £7,000 per tenancy from their local authority.
With the Act having only come into force on 1 May 2026, many landlords are still unaware that this obligation applies to them, let alone that the deadline is almost upon us.
What is actually required under the Act
Landlords must give each tenant the exact PDF information sheet published on the Government website.
It explains how the new rules, including the abolition of fixed-term tenancies, the end of Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions and strengthened rights to challenge rent increases, affect their tenancy.
The document must be provided to any tenancy created before 1 May 2026 and a copy must go to every tenant named on the agreement.
If you have any unwritten tenancies, you must also provide a written statement of terms by 31 May 2026.
It can be delivered as a printed hard copy, given by hand or posted, or sent electronically as an attachment by email or even by text message.
The one notable exception is for those renting a room to a lodger within their own home, who do not need to provide it.
Don’t assume your agent has it covered
One of the biggest traps is the assumption that a letting agent will automatically have dealt with this.
Whether the agent or the landlord is responsible depends on the existing management arrangement in place.
Under a fully managed service, the agent would normally be expected to issue the document and manage ongoing compliance.
The Government guidance is clear that where an agent manages the property, the agent must provide the information sheet even if the landlord has also done so.
However, where an agent is used only to find a tenant or to collect rent, they may have no obligation to serve the form at all. In that situation, the duty falls to the landlord.
Crucially, even in a fully managed arrangement, the ultimate liability for the fine rests with the landlord.
If your agent has not done it, it is you who faces the £7,000 penalty, so it is well worth confirming, in writing, that this has been actioned.
Why compliance with the Act is essential
This is not a duty where you can rely on a quiet word from the council before any real consequences follow.
The Government’s enforcement guidance tells local housing authorities that there is no expectation that they take informal steps, such as issuing warning letters, before taking formal action.
Once a breach is established to the required standard, the council can move directly to issue a civil penalty.
This is only the beginning
The information sheet is the most immediate deadline, but it is one of several new duties landlords now carry under the Act.
Failing to provide a written statement of terms, attempting to end a tenancy verbally, or wrongly marketing a fixed-term tenancy can each attract penalties of up to £7,000, while the most serious offences can result in fines of up to £40,000 or prosecution.
Full details of the enforcement process can be found here and our own helpful guide to the Renters’ Right Act can be downloaded here.
Getting the first deadline right is the clearest signal that your wider compliance is in order and the simplest way to avoid fines.
With the 31 May deadline almost here, there is no time to lose, so please ensure you supply the Information Sheet to tenants now.
If you are unsure whether you have met your obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act or you want to make sure your wider letting practices are compliant, please contact our team without delay.
