Renters' Rights Act: Written Information Requirements for New and Existing Private Tenancies

Aaron Taylor

Solicitor

MSB Solicitors

The Government has now formally published the prescribed written information requirements and the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026.

New Tenancies from 1 May 2026:

For any Assured Tenancy granted on or after 1 May 2026, Landlords must provide Tenants with written information about the key terms of their Tenancy at the outset. This will not affect Social Housing Tenancies, but will affect any Private Assured Tenancies held by Registered Providers of Social Housing.

The information does not need to reflect the exact wording (and it can be incorporated into your tenancy Agreements), but it must contain the information reflected within the Government Guidance here:

Written_information_that_must_be_given_to_tenants-_landlord_guidance.pdf

Download PDF • 224KB

Existing Tenancies Granted Before 1 May 2026:

The position for existing Tenancies is slightly different and will depend upon whether the Tenancy is written or verbal.

Written Tenancies:

For written Tenancies already in place before 1 May 2026, Landlords must provide Tenants with the 4-page Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 here:

The_Renters__Rights_Act_Information_Sheet_2026.pdf

Download PDF • 289KB

This must be served no later than 31 May 2026 and can either be:

• Provided as a hard copy by post or hand-delivering to the Tenant, or

• Sent electronically to the Tenant as a PDF (you cannot simply send a link to the information as that would be invalid)

• Verbal or Non-Written Tenancies here the Tenancy is not recorded in writing, must provide written confirmation Landlords cannot rely on the standard information sheet and instead of the key terms of the Tenancy by no later than 31 May 2026

This must be served no later than 31 May 2026 and can either be:

• Provided as a hard copy by post or hand-delivering to the Tenant, or

• Sent electronically to the Tenant as a PDF (you cannot simply send a link to the information as that would be invalid).

Verbal or non-written tenancies

Where the Tenancy is not recorded in writing, Landlords cannot rely on the standard information sheet and instead must provide written confirmation of this key terms of the Tenancy by no later than 31 May 2026

Practical Steps for Landlords and Agents

Local authorities have the power to impose financial penalties of up to 67,000 where Landlords fail to provide the required information within the specified timeframes. Landlords and Agents should therefore act promptly and ensure to:

• Review current tenancy documentation to ensure it aligns with the new requirements

• Identify all tenancies granted before 1 May 2026

• Prepare and serve the correct documentation ahead of the 31 May 2026 deadline

• Put systems in place to ensure compliance for all new tenancies after 1 May 2026.

From a practical perspective, these changes will further ensure that Tenants are aware of their Tenancy Terms and Rights, and that there are clear, written records which may not have existed previously.

See further Government Guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tenancy-agreements-written-information-for-your-tenant

Il' you need advice on how to prepare for the changes, contact our Team at privatelandlords@msbsolicitors.co.uk