The Renters' Rights Act 2025 introduced a new mandatory obligation: from 1 May 2026, every private landlord in England must serve the prescribed Information Sheet on each existing tenant within 28 days of commencement — making the deadline 31 May 2026. For new tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026, the sheet must be served at the start of the tenancy.
The Information Sheet must be served as a physical document or attached PDF — a link to a webpage does not comply. It must be served on each named tenant individually, not one copy per property. The LetSafe Information Sheet Serving Pack bundles the prescribed sheet, a compliant cover letter, a service record, and a dated certificate of service — everything you need for £14.99.
What is the Information Sheet?
The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet is a government-prescribed document explaining the key changes to tenancy law following the Renters' Rights Act 2025. It is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and must be served verbatim — you cannot substitute your own summary or amend the prescribed text.
The sheet covers: the abolition of Section 21, the conversion of ASTs to Periodic Assured Tenancies, the new Section 8 grounds, rent increase rules, the right to request a pet, and the forthcoming Private Landlord Database and PRS Ombudsman obligations.
Who must serve it — and when
The obligation applies to every private residential landlord in England with an existing tenancy as of 1 May 2026. There is no threshold — portfolio landlords and single-property landlords alike must comply.
- Existing tenants (pre-1 May 2026): Must be served by 31 May 2026
- New tenancies (from 1 May 2026): Must be served at or before the start of the tenancy
- Each named tenant: The obligation is per-tenant, not per-property — if two tenants are named, serve two copies
- Letting agents: If a letting agent manages the tenancy, the agent must serve on the landlord's behalf — but the landlord remains legally liable if service fails
How to serve the Information Sheet correctly
The method of service is not prescribed in the statutory instrument, but the safest approach is documented service — the same approach used for Section 21 notices and other statutory documents.
Serving by email alone is risky if the tenancy agreement does not specify email as a valid service method. Postal service (first class to the tenant's address) and personal delivery are the safest options.
- Attach the prescribed Information Sheet PDF to an email — do not link to a webpage
- Or send by first-class post with a certificate of posting
- Or deliver personally and obtain an acknowledgement
- Keep a dated copy of the served document and evidence of service
Penalty for non-compliance
Failure to serve the Information Sheet is a civil offence under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The local housing authority can impose a civil penalty of up to £7,000 per breach. A breach is assessed per tenant — failing to serve two tenants in one property is two breaches.
Local authorities have the power to impose penalties without a court hearing. There is no prescribed warning obligation. If an authority investigates a complaint from a tenant, a missing service record can result in an immediate penalty notice.
What the Serving Pack includes
The LetSafe Information Sheet Serving Pack is designed for landlords who want to complete their obligation correctly and keep a clean paper trail.
- The prescribed Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet (government-approved text, formatted for printing)
- A compliant cover letter in DOCX format — personalised per tenant
- A service record log — one row per tenant, date of service, method, and signature
- A dated certificate of service — suitable for keeping in a tenancy file as evidence
- Serving instructions: how to complete the pack for each tenant and what records to keep
Frequently missed obligations alongside the Information Sheet
Serving the Information Sheet is the most urgent post-commencement obligation, but it sits alongside other 1 May 2026 duties landlords may have missed.
- New tenancies: Must use a Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement — not an AST
- Rent increases: Must use Section 13 + Form 4A — old Form 4 is invalid
- Possession: Only Section 8 (Form 3A) is valid — Section 21 is abolished
- Pets: Blanket no-pets policies are now unlawful — each request must be considered
- Section 21 already served: Court proceedings must be filed by 31 July 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for serving the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet?+
31 May 2026 for existing tenants. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 requires landlords to serve the prescribed Information Sheet within 28 days of commencement (1 May 2026). For new tenancies starting on or after 1 May 2026, the sheet must be served at the start of the tenancy.
What happens if I miss the 31 May 2026 deadline?+
The local housing authority can impose a civil penalty of up to £7,000 per breach. The penalty applies per tenant, not per property — so missing two tenants is two breaches. There is no prescribed warning period and no requirement for a court hearing. Authorities can issue penalty notices directly.
Can I send the Information Sheet by email?+
Email service is acceptable if the tenancy agreement specifies email as a valid service method and you attach the PDF — do not link to a webpage. If the tenancy agreement does not mention email, use first-class post or personal delivery and retain evidence of service.
Is a link to the government website enough?+
No. The obligation is to serve the prescribed Information Sheet — not to provide a link to where it can be found. A link to GOV.UK does not satisfy the statutory obligation. You must provide the actual document, as an attachment or physical copy.
Do I need to serve the Information Sheet on new tenants starting after 1 May 2026?+
Yes. For any tenancy starting on or after 1 May 2026, the Information Sheet must be served at the commencement of the tenancy — along with the Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement, How-to-Rent guide, gas safety certificate, EICR, and EPC.
What is the prescribed form of the Information Sheet?+
The Information Sheet is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It must be served in its prescribed form — you cannot summarise, modify, or replace it with your own document. LetSafe UK's pack includes the prescribed text formatted for printing and distribution.