Landlords must now comply with an important new legal requirement introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act, which brings significant reform to the private rented sector in England. The government has published an official information sheet that explains the changes and sets out the new rights available to tenants starting from 1 May 2026.

Under the legislation, landlords and letting agents must provide tenants with a copy of the government’s Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. The document explains how the law affects tenancy arrangements and highlights new protections designed to provide greater security and transparency for renters. The information may be provided either in paper form or electronically, for example as a PDF attachment.

The Renters’ Rights Act represents one of the most significant changes to private renting in many years. A key feature of the reforms is the removal of Section 21 “no fault” evictions, alongside wider measures intended to improve stability and fairness in the rental market. Tenants will benefit from clearer information about their rights, helping them make better informed decisions about their housing arrangements.

For many existing tenancies that began before 1 May 2026, landlords will not need to issue a new agreement immediately. Instead, the main requirement is to ensure tenants receive the official information sheet explaining how the changes apply to their current tenancy. For new tenancies created after this date, agreements must reflect the updated legal framework.

Failure to provide the required information may result in financial penalties, emphasising the importance of reviewing procedures promptly. Landlords should therefore ensure that tenancy documentation, communication processes and record keeping systems are updated ahead of the 31 May 2026 deadline. Early preparation will help avoid penalties and ensure compliance with the new legal framework.