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If you’ve been following the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, you’ll know that 1 May 2026 marks the biggest shake-up to private renting in a generation. But before you even get to the headline changes — the end of Section 21, rolling tenancies, new eviction grounds — there’s something you need to do right now.
Every private landlord with an existing assured or assured shorthold tenancy must serve a government-issued Information Sheet to their tenants by 31 May 2026.
This isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement, and the penalties for getting it wrong are steep: up to £7,000 for a single breach, rising to £40,000 for repeated offences or if the issue isn’t resolved within 28 days.
The good news? It’s straightforward to do — especially if you’re already using Landlord Vision. In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what’s required, who it applies to, how to serve the sheet correctly, and how to use Landlord Vision to get it done efficiently across your entire portfolio.
What is the Information Sheet?
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) has published a four-page document called The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026. It’s written for tenants and explains, in plain language, how the new rules will affect their current tenancy from 1 May 2026.
It covers the key changes tenants need to know about, including:
- The move from fixed-term tenancies to rolling (periodic) tenancies
- The abolition of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions
- New rules on rent increases, including the requirement to use a Section 13 notice and Form 4A
- The grounds a landlord can use to seek possession
- Tenants’ right to give two months’ notice at any time
- The new right to request to keep a pet
- Special provisions for student tenancies
The document is designed to be served as-is. You don’t need to write your own version or add anything to it — just make sure every eligible tenant receives a copy.
You can download the official PDF from GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-renters-rights-act-information-sheet-2026
Who needs to receive it?
You must serve the Information Sheet if the tenancy:
- Is an assured tenancy or an assured shorthold tenancy
- Was created before 1 May 2026
- Has a wholly or partly written record of its terms (this includes a written tenancy agreement)
A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement. So if you have a joint tenancy with two named tenants, both need to receive their own copy.
You do not need to serve the sheet to lodgers, or to tenancies that don’t have any written record of their terms (although in that case, you have a separate obligation to provide certain written information by 31 May 2026).
If you use a letting agent who manages the property on your behalf, the agent must also provide the Information Sheet to the tenant — even if you’ve already done so yourself.
How to serve it correctly
This is where many landlords are getting caught out, so pay close attention. The rules on valid service methods are specific, and getting this wrong could mean the sheet hasn’t been legally served at all.
Valid methods
1. Hard copy — posted or hand-delivered
Print the PDF and either post it to the tenant or hand it to them in person. This is the simplest and most foolproof method.
2. Electronic — as a PDF attachment
You can email or text the PDF as an attachment to the tenant. However, for electronic service to be valid, one of the following must apply:
- The tenant responds to confirm receipt, or
- Your tenancy agreement contains a clause that allows electronic service of documents
What does NOT count as valid service
Sending a link to the PDF is not valid. You cannot email or text a link to the GOV.UK page or to the PDF hosted online. The document must be sent as an attachment.
This is an important distinction that’s easy to overlook. If you email your tenants a link thinking you’ve ticked the box, you haven’t — and you could face penalties.
The deadline and penalties
The Information Sheet can be served at any time from now up to 31 May 2026.
If you fail to serve the sheet, your local authority can impose a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for a single breach. If the breach isn’t resolved within 28 days, or for repeated offences, the penalty can rise to £40,000.
These are per-breach penalties, so if you have multiple tenancies and fail to serve the sheet across several of them, the fines can add up quickly.
Our advice: don’t leave this until the last minute. The sooner you serve the sheet, the sooner you can tick it off and focus on the broader changes coming in on 1 May.
How to do this in Landlord Vision
If you’re managing multiple tenancies, serving the Information Sheet individually to each tenant — and keeping track of who’s received it — can feel like a big task. The good news is that Landlord Vision already has everything you need to do this quickly and in bulk. Here’s the step-by-step process.
Step 1: Download the PDF
Head to the GOV.UK link above and download the official Information Sheet PDF to your computer. This is the document you’ll be attaching to your message.
Step 2: Make sure your tenancy records are up to date
Before you send anything, take a moment to check that your tenancies list in Landlord Vision is accurate and shows all of your active tenancies. Make sure each tenancy has the correct tenant contact details — particularly email addresses, since you’ll be sending electronically. This is a good housekeeping step that will save you chasing issues later.
Step 3: Compose and send your message to all tenants
Navigate to Communications > Sent Messages and click Compose to create a new message.
In the Send To section, set the filters to:
- Status: Active
- Tags: Tenant
Then press Select All. This will pick up every active tenant across your portfolio in one go.
Type out a covering message explaining what the document is and why you’re sending it, and attach the Information Sheet PDF to the message. Here’s an example you can adapt:
Dear [Tenant Name],
I am writing to let you know that, as your landlord, I am legally required to provide you with the attached document before 31 May 2026.
The attached Information Sheet has been published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. It explains how the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will affect your tenancy from 1 May 2026.
Please read this document carefully. If you have any questions, you are welcome to get in touch.
I would be grateful if you could reply to this email to confirm that you have received the Information Sheet.
Kind regards, [Your Name]
The request to reply is important — it helps establish that the tenant received the document, which is one of the conditions for valid electronic service.
Once you’re happy with the message, press Send. That’s the bulk of the work done.
Step 4: Follow up on non-responders
Use Tasks in Landlord Vision’s calendar to set a follow-up reminder — say two weeks after sending — to check which tenants haven’t confirmed receipt.
For any tenant who doesn’t reply and where your tenancy agreement doesn’t include an electronic service clause, you should follow up with a hard copy sent by post or delivered by hand to make sure the sheet has been validly served.
Step 5: Store your evidence
Upload any confirmation emails or postal receipts to the relevant tenancy under Files in Landlord Vision. This creates an audit trail showing that you’ve met your legal obligation — invaluable if a local authority ever queries your compliance.
What about letting agents?
If you use a letting agent who manages the property on your behalf, they are also required to serve the Information Sheet to the tenant, even if you’ve already done so. It’s worth confirming with your agent that they have this in hand.
However, this doesn’t remove your own obligation. If you’re unsure whether your agent will serve the sheet, it’s safest to serve it yourself as well — you won’t be penalised for providing it twice, but you could be penalised for not providing it at all.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to update or reissue my tenancy agreement?
No. The legislation does not require you to change or reissue any existing written tenancy agreement. The changes under the Renters’ Rights Act apply to your tenancies automatically from 1 May 2026, regardless of what your current agreement says.
What if I have a tenancy with no written agreement?
If there is no written tenancy agreement and no written record of the tenancy’s terms, you are not required to serve the Information Sheet. However, you do have a separate obligation to provide the tenant with certain written information on or before 31 May 2026. The government will publish further guidance on what this must include.
What if the tenant doesn’t respond to my email?
If the tenant doesn’t confirm receipt of your email and your tenancy agreement doesn’t contain an electronic service clause, the electronic service may not be valid. To be safe, follow up with a printed copy sent by post or given by hand.
Can I serve the sheet before 1 May 2026?
Yes. You can serve the Information Sheet at any time from now until 31 May 2026. We’d recommend doing it sooner rather than later to give yourself time to follow up on any tenants who don’t confirm receipt.
Does this apply to social housing tenants?
No. The Information Sheet and the Renters’ Rights Act changes described in it apply only to private sector tenants with assured or assured shorthold tenancies. Social housing tenants and lodgers are not affected.
I’ve already served a Section 21 or Section 8 notice — do I still need to serve the sheet?
If your landlord served a possession notice under Section 8 or Section 21 before 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act changes may not apply to your tenancy on that date, and the previous rules may still apply. However, the Information Sheet itself addresses this scenario, so it’s still best practice to serve it.
The bigger picture
The Information Sheet is just the first practical step in preparing for the Renters’ Rights Act. From 1 May 2026, the way you manage tenancies, increase rent, handle evictions, and respond to pet requests will all change.
At Landlord Vision, we’re working to make sure our platform supports you through every stage of these changes — from compliance tracking and document management to updated workflows for the new tenancy regime. Keep an eye on the blog and your inbox for more guidance as 1 May approaches.
If you’re not yet using Landlord Vision, there’s never been a better time to get your portfolio organised. Start your free trial and see how much easier compliance can be when everything is in one place.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are unsure about your obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, we recommend seeking independent legal advice.
