The government has published the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet. If you have existing tenants on a written assured shorthold tenancy, you are legally required to serve it by 31st May 2026.
Here is everything you need to know.
What is the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet?
The Information Sheet is a document produced by the government for tenants. It explains how their tenancy may be affected by the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. It is a standard document, landlords and agents cannot write or amend it. Your job is simply to serve it on your tenants as is.
Who needs to serve it?
Every landlord in England with an existing assured shorthold tenancy on 1st May that is wholly or partly in writing will need to serve the government-produced Information Sheet on their tenants by 31 May 2026.
If you have a letting agent who manages the property on your behalf, the agent must provide the Information Sheet to the tenant, even if you have also provided it.
How do I serve it?
Landlords and agents can serve the Information Sheet digitally or on paper. They can email it to tenants as a PDF attachment and keep a copy of the sent email that gives a clear record of when it was served, which matters if there is ever a dispute.
One important rule: you must not email or text a link to the PDF to the tenant, as this will not be valid. You must send the PDF itself as an attachment.
A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement. You cannot rely on one tenant passing it to others.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is 31st May 2026, but there is no reason to leave it until then. The government guidance is clear that landlords can serve it as soon as it is published.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
The starting point for a first breach is £4,000, although the local authority may increase or decrease that depending on the circumstances and their policy, up to a maximum of £7,000. If the breach continues for more than 28 days after the penalty is imposed, the landlord commits a criminal offence. Repeat breaches within five years can carry a civil penalty of up to £40,000.
How COHO helps
If you manage your properties on COHO, you can send the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet directly from the Comms panel, with delivery logged and tracked, so you have a clear record if you ever need it.
Managing multiple HMOs? Our development team is currently building bulk send across all tenancies, so you can get this done in one go. Join our WhatsApp community to find out when it launches.
The government has published the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet. If you have existing tenants on a written assured shorthold tenancy, you are legally required to serve it by 31st May 2026.
Here is everything you need to know.
What is the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet?
The Information Sheet is a document produced by the government for tenants. It explains how their tenancy may be affected by the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. It is a standard document, landlords and agents cannot write or amend it. Your job is simply to serve it on your tenants as is.
Who needs to serve it?
Every landlord in England with an existing assured shorthold tenancy on 1st May that is wholly or partly in writing will need to serve the government-produced Information Sheet on their tenants by 31 May 2026.
If you have a letting agent who manages the property on your behalf, the agent must provide the Information Sheet to the tenant, even if you have also provided it.
How do I serve it?
Landlords and agents can serve the Information Sheet digitally or on paper. They can email it to tenants as a PDF attachment and keep a copy of the sent email that gives a clear record of when it was served, which matters if there is ever a dispute.
One important rule: you must not email or text a link to the PDF to the tenant, as this will not be valid. You must send the PDF itself as an attachment.
A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement. You cannot rely on one tenant passing it to others.
What is the deadline?
The deadline is 31st May 2026, but there is no reason to leave it until then. The government guidance is clear that landlords can serve it as soon as it is published.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
The starting point for a first breach is £4,000, although the local authority may increase or decrease that depending on the circumstances and their policy, up to a maximum of £7,000. If the breach continues for more than 28 days after the penalty is imposed, the landlord commits a criminal offence. Repeat breaches within five years can carry a civil penalty of up to £40,000.
How COHO helps
If you manage your properties on COHO, you can send the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet directly from the Comms panel, with delivery logged and tracked, so you have a clear record if you ever need it.
Managing multiple HMOs? Our development team is currently building bulk send across all tenancies, so you can get this done in one go. Join our WhatsApp community to find out when it launches.
