Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet: Do You Still Have to Give It?

Two different documents, one deadline. The government’s own landlord guidance splits existing tenancies in two. If you already had a written tenancy agreement (or any written record of the terms) on 1 May 2026, you had to give each tenant the government-produced Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May 2026. If the tenancy was based entirely on a verbal agreement, the Information Sheet was not enough: you had to give a full written statement of terms (names, address, rent, how rent can rise, bills, deposit, notice rules, the possession grounds you may rely on, repairs and safety duties, pets) — also by 31 May 2026. New tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026 need the written statement before the tenancy is entered into (Housing Act 1988 s.16D as inserted by the Act); a tenancy that converts to assured status later gets 28 days.

What happens if the deadline was missed

gov.uk’s enforcement page lists both failures — not giving the written statement by 31 May 2026, and not giving existing tenants the Information Sheet — among the breaches a local housing authority can meet with a civil penalty of up to £7,000. The same page says a breach that continues more than 28 days after a penalty is imposed, or is repeated within 5 years, can be treated as a criminal offence or met with a financial penalty of up to £40,000. The practical reading is simple: a missed deadline is not cured by waiting; it is cured by giving the document now and keeping proof of the date.

Who has to do it, and how

• Who: private landlords (and private registered providers) letting on an assured tenancy in England. An agent or manager may give it on the landlord’s behalf.
• Not covered: lodgers living with a resident landlord and social-housing tenancies — the Information Sheet itself says the new rules “will not usually apply” to lodgers (see lodgers and resident landlords).
• How: the guidance says the information may be built into a written tenancy agreement “or you can give it separately”; it does not prescribe paper over email. Whatever you use, keep a dated record.
• Do not rehost it: give tenants the current government PDF (link above), not a copy saved months ago — the government may revise it.

The other dated duty in the same window

If you let an HMO to full-time students and want to keep the new student possession ground (Ground 4A) for an existing tenancy, the written “prior notice” was also due by 31 May 2026 — and the Information Sheet does not count as that notice. Details on student lets and Ground 4A.

Sources, read 5 September 2026: Written information that must be given to tenants: landlord guidance (MHCLG PDF) · Enforcement measures for landlords · Renters’ Rights Act 2025 s.12 (written statement of terms) · Information Sheet 2026 (official PDF). England only; Scotland and Wales have separate tenancy law. General information, not legal advice — for a live dispute, speak to a solicitor, Shelter or your council’s housing team.