Following my previous blog on 3 February 2026, the Government has now published the official Information Sheet that private landlords in England must provide to certain existing assured tenants by 31 May 2026. 

‘Private landlords’ throughout this blog includes private registered provider landlords (PRPs) in relation to any market rent lettings of residential dwellings.

This Information Sheet forms a central part of the reforms being introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 and the associated draft regulations made under section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 and paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 6 to the 2025 Act.

This blog explains what is new, what landlords must do, and how the Government’s latest guidance affects compliance.

What is new since my last update?

In early February, we reported that the Government intended to require landlords to provide prescribed written information to both new and existing assured tenants.

The latest development is that the Government has now published the information sheet, alongside guidance explaining:

• who must receive it;
• what version must be used;
• how it must be delivered; and
• when it must be served by.

The guidance also makes clear that letting agents must comply on behalf of landlords where they manage the property.

This provides landlords with certainty on their statutory obligations ahead of the major changes taking effect on 1 May 2026.

What is the Government information sheet?

The information sheet:

• is an official Government document for tenants;
• explains how a tenant’s tenancy may be affected by the changes under the 2025 Act;
• must be provided exactly as published, without alteration;
• is only valid when downloaded from the Government’s official webpage.

Which tenants must receive the information sheet?

Under the Government guidance, landlords (or their agents) must provide the information sheet if the tenancy:

• is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy;
• was created before 1 May 2026; and
• has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement).

A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement.

The information sheet does not need to be given to:

• lodgers, or
• tenants whose agreements are entirely oral (different obligations apply—see below).

Deadline and penalties

The information sheet must be provided to affected tenants by 31 May 2026

Failure to comply may result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000 imposed by the local authority.

How must the information sheet be delivered to tenants?

The Government has specified that the information sheet can be delivered to tenants either by:

• printing and posting a hard copy, or
• sending the information sheet electronically as an attachment (e.g. by email or text message)

Private landlords are not, however, permitted to simply email or text a link to the information sheet to tenants, as this will not satisfy the legal requirements.

What about tenancies without a written agreement?

If a tenancy created before 1 May 2026 has no written record of terms (i.e. it is based entirely on a verbal agreement), private landlords cannot provide the information sheet to affected tenants.

Instead, private landlords must provide tenants with the full written statement of terms under section 16D of the Housing Act 1988 (see further details in my previous blog)

What should landlords be doing now?

With the information sheet and guidance now available, private landlords should:

• Identify all existing assured and assured shorthold tenancies and categorise them into:
  • written agreements (serve information sheet),
  • oral agreements (serve written statement of terms),
• Put distribution processes in place now, particularly if sending hard copies of the information sheet to tenants by post.

Private landlords should also ensure they have updated tenancy documentation available for new tenancies from 1 May 2026.

Need support preparing for the new requirements?

For assistance with reviewing or updating your tenancy agreement templates to ensure compliance with the 2025 Act (including new forms of periodic assured tenancy to use from 1 May 2026), please get in touch.  

We can provide tailored advice, new tenancy agreements or tenancy agreement reviews and compliance guidance to help you prepare for the changes coming into force from 1 May 2026.