Every landlord with an existing tenancy must serve the prescribed Information Sheet on every named tenant by 31 May 2026. Failure carries a civil penalty of up to £7,000 per tenancy.
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 requires all private landlords in England to serve the government's prescribed Information Sheet on every existing tenant within 28 days of 1 May 2026. This is a standalone obligation with its own prescribed content and format (the old How to Rent guide was withdrawn in June 2026).
What is the Information Sheet?
A government-prescribed document that summarises tenants' rights under the new regime: how rent increases work under Section 13, how a tenant can refer a rent increase to the First-tier Tribunal, how to make a written pet request, and how the Section 8 possession process works. You must use the official prescribed form, not an unofficial summary.
Who must receive it?
- Every named tenant on every existing England tenancy, including tenancies that auto-converted from AST to APT on 1 May 2026
- Joint tenancies require a separate copy for each named tenant
- Tenants on statutory periodic tenancies that rolled on after a fixed term
- New tenants starting on or after 1 May 2026 receive it through the APT on-boarding process, the 28-day obligation is for existing tenants only
Format requirements
Sending a hyperlink to the government PDF does not constitute valid service. The document must be attached to the email or delivered as a physical copy. A link-only service has no legal effect.
- Email with the official PDF attached, do not alter the document
- First-class post (printed hard copy)
- Personal delivery (hand to hand)
Step-by-step: serving by email
- Download the prescribed Information Sheet PDF from GOV.UK
- List every named tenant across all your properties
- Send a separate email to each tenant, do not CC multiple tenants in one email
- Subject line: 'Renters Rights Act 2025, Information Sheet, [Property Address]'
- Attach the unaltered PDF; add one sentence in the body confirming what it is
- Save the sent email (screenshot or export) as your proof of service
Step-by-step: serving by post
- Print the Information Sheet for each named tenant
- Address to each tenant at the rental property
- Send first-class post and retain the Post Office certificate of posting
- Note the date of posting in your records, deemed service is typically the second working day
Recording proof of service
Keep proof of service for at least 24 months. If a tenant disputes that they received the sheet, the burden of proof is on you.
- Email: screenshot showing recipient address, date, and attachment filename
- Post: Post Office certificate of posting with tenant name and property address noted
- Hand delivery: brief written acknowledgement signed and dated by the tenant
Missed the deadline?
Serve immediately. Late service on record is far better than no service. The local authority has discretion on penalty amounts, evidence of prompt action after discovering a missed deadline is treated as mitigation. The £7,000 figure is the statutory maximum, not an automatic fine.
Includes the official prescribed Information Sheet PDF, a ready-to-send email covering letter template, a multi-property service log, and a proof-of-service record for each tenancy.