If you let a property in England and did not give your tenants the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026, act now. Late service does not erase the missed deadline, but it can help reduce the risk of the breach continuing and shows that you have taken steps to comply.
The requirement arrived with the wider Renters’ Rights Act reforms, which took effect on 1 May 2026. For most existing assured or assured shorthold tenancies with written terms, landlords had to give every named tenant the government’s Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. This is a major issue across England’s private rented sector, where around 4.6 million households rent privately.
Which document you actually owe
The duty is not one size fits all. What you must provide depends on when the tenancy started and whether the agreement was written, partly written or wholly verbal.
| Tenancy position | What you must provide | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Existing tenancy before 1 May 2026 with written or partly written terms | The official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet | Should have been given by 31 May 2026 |
| Existing tenancy before 1 May 2026 based entirely on a verbal agreement | Written information about key tenancy terms | Should have been given by 31 May 2026 |
| New tenancy created on or after 1 May 2026 | Written information about key tenancy terms | Before the tenancy is agreed or signed |
| Tenant needs an accessible version | Alternative format plus the official PDF | As part of valid service |
If your agreement was purely verbal, you should not simply send the Information Sheet and assume the job is done. You owe written information about the key tenancy terms instead. That distinction matters now that most existing tenancies have moved under the new periodic tenancy rules, so it is worth reviewing the shift to periodic tenancies carefully.
What the penalty looks like
Your local council enforces these duties. Failing to provide the Information Sheet, or the required written information where a verbal tenancy exists, can lead to a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for a first breach. If the breach continues after enforcement action, or if there are repeated failures, penalties can rise as high as £40,000.
The risk can multiply where several tenancies are affected. A landlord with one missed document has a smaller problem than a landlord who failed to serve documents across a whole portfolio.
A missing document can also weaken a future Section 8 claim, because possession paperwork will be checked closely now that Section 21 has gone.
How to serve it correctly now
Getting the method right is as important as the timing. Download the official information sheet on GOV.UK and serve that exact PDF. Do not send only a link, because GOV.UK guidance says a link to the PDF is not valid service.
You can serve it by printing a hard copy and giving or posting it to the tenant, or by sending the official PDF as an attachment by email or text message. Give a separate copy to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement.
Keep proof of what you sent and when, such as a sent email, delivery record or certificate of posting. Good clear record keeping is your defence if a tenant or council ever questions service. The same discipline helps with the reforms on deposits and rent and the broader compliance expected before any action.
A common situation
Say you let a 2-bedroom flat in Tooting to a couple on a written tenancy from 2023. You knew the reforms were coming, but the May deadline drifted past in a busy month. The practical response is simple. Download the correct sheet, send it properly to both tenants today, and save proof.
That may not remove the fact that the deadline was missed, but it puts you in a better position than doing nothing. If the tenant has fallen into arrears at the same time, help with recovering unpaid rent can run in parallel.
FAQs
Can I still send the Information Sheet after 31 May 2026?
Yes. Send it as soon as possible and keep proof. Late service is better than leaving the breach unresolved.
How much is the fine for missing the deadline?
A first breach can lead to a civil penalty of up to £7,000. Repeated or continuing breaches can lead to higher penalties.
Does emailing a link to the sheet count?
No. You must attach the official PDF or provide a printed copy. A link alone is not valid service.
Does this rule apply across the whole UK?
No. This duty applies in England. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate rental systems.
Get this sorted before it costs you
If you have missed the deadline or you are unsure whether your service was valid, do not leave it. Our landlord and tenant solicitors in London can confirm what you owe, help you serve it properly and protect any later possession and eviction route. For wider disputes, our civil litigation team can step in, and you can reach the wider London law firm at any time. Call Atalaw Solicitors on 020 3581 9293 or email info@atalawsolicitors.com.