Renters’ Rights Act. Key Changes Landlords Must Act on Before 31 May 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 represents one of the most significant reforms to the private rental sector in recent years. It strengthens tenant protections while placing greater responsibility on private landlords.

Mandatory Requirement for Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026

By 31 May 2026, landlords must provide tenants with the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026. This document is designed to ensure tenants clearly understand their rights and includes information on:

• How a landlord can seek possession of a property
• How and when rent may be increased
• Protections relating to tenancy deposits
• Gas safety requirements
• A tenant’s right to request permission to keep pets

You must provide the Information Sheet where the tenancy:

• Is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• Was created before 1 May 2026
• Has a written or partially written record of terms (including a tenancy agreement)

How to provide the Information Sheet

Landlords must give The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 to each individual tenant by either:  

• Posting or hand-delivering a printed copy, or
• Digital delivery (e.g. email attachment or text message)

Simply directing tenants to the GOV.UK webpage is not sufficient.

Formalise Verbal Tenancies

Where a tenancy was agreed verbally before 1st May 2026, landlords are now required to formalise that arrangement in writing. Before 31st May 2026, landlords must provide tenants with a clear written statement of the agreed terms, setting out:

• The amount of rent payable
• How and when rent can be increased
• The circumstances in which possession may be sought
• Repairing and safety responsibilities

This requirement, alongside the Information Sheet, is intended to reduce uncertainty and minimise disputes.

Changes for Student Tenancies

The Act introduces important changes for landlords letting to students. Section 21 notices can no longer be used for these tenancies. Landlords must instead rely on Ground 4A to recover possession for the next academic year. To use this ground, landlords must write to tenants before 31 May 2026, confirming their intention to let the property to a new group of full-time students at the start of the next academic year.

Compliance is the Landlords Responsibility

Even if you use a letting or managing agent, you should not assume that they have complied with the Renters Rights Act on your behalf. Legal responsibility remains with the landlord to ensure that all required documents have been properly served. It’s important to keep clear records as evidence of compliance before the deadline.

Failure to comply with these requirements can result in significant financial penalties of up to £7,000 for an initial breach and up to £40,000 for serious or repeated breaches.

With the 31 May 2026 deadline fast approaching, landlords should review their tenancy arrangements and take immediate steps to ensure full compliance. If you’re unsure what these changes mean for you or your property portfolio, seeking early advice can help you avoid risk and stay on the right side of the law. For more information, please contact Zoe Limon at Zoe.Limon@swinburnemaddison.co.uk or call our Commercial Property team on 0191 384 2441.