The Renters’ Rights Act: The New Requirement to Provide Information to Tenants
The Renters’ Rights Act introduces several new obligations for landlords. One requirement that has attracted particular attention is the obligation to provide tenants with certain written information about their tenancy. This is sometimes referred to informally as a “leaflet”, but in reality the law creates two different information requirements depending on the type and timing of the tenancy.
This article explains what landlords must provide, where the requirement comes from, when it must be given, and what the consequences are if the requirement is not met.
What is the “leaflet” landlords must give tenants?
The “leaflet” generally refers to the government-issued Information Sheet explaining the changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act.
This is a standard document produced by the government, rather than something landlords create themselves. The purpose of the document is to ensure that tenants understand the key changes to tenancy law under the Act and how their tenancy will operate under the new regime.
The Information Sheet is expected to explain matters such as:
- the move to periodic tenancies
- the abolition of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies
- how rent increases work under the new rules
- the new grounds for possession
- various tenant rights introduced by the Act
Landlords will simply be required to provide the official document to tenants, either electronically or in hard copy.
Where will the Information Sheet be published?
The Information Sheet will be published by the UK Government on GOV.UK. Landlords will not need to draft their own version. Instead, they will be expected to distribute the official government version to their tenants.
Once published, it will be accessible online and can be shared with tenants by email, as a PDF attachment, or as a printed document.
Where does the legal requirement come from?
The obligation arises from the Renters’ Rights Act itself, which creates the legal framework allowing the government to require landlords to provide prescribed information to tenants.
The Act itself establishes the power to require landlords to provide specified information, while the precise details of what must be given are set out in secondary legislation (regulations).
In practice this means:
- the Act establishes the legal duty, and
- regulations prescribe the exact documents and information that must be provided.
Government guidance will then explain how landlords should comply.
When must the Information Sheet be given?
The timing depends on whether the tenancy already exists or is created after the new system comes into force.
Existing tenancies with written agreements
Where there is an existing tenancy with a written agreement, landlords must:
- provide the government Information Sheet
- give it to each named tenant
The current guidance indicates that this must be done by 31 May 2026.
The document can be provided in several ways, including:
- email
- PDF attachment
- printed copy
Existing tenancies with only verbal agreements
Where an existing tenancy was created without a written agreement, landlords must instead provide a written statement of the tenancy terms. We would suggest that the Information Sheet should be given at the same time.
This must also be provided by 31 May 2026.
New tenancies created after the reforms take effect
For new tenancies created after the new regime begins, landlords must provide tenants with a Written Statement of Terms.
This document must be given before the tenancy is agreed. In most cases this requirement will be satisfied simply by including the required information within the tenancy agreement itself.
What is the Written Statement of Terms?
The Written Statement of Terms is not a leaflet but a document confirming the essential details of the tenancy.
This can usually be incorporated into the tenancy agreement and typically includes information such as:
- the names of the landlord and tenant
- the address of the property
- the address for service of notices
- key terms of the tenancy
- any other prescribed tenancy information
Most professionally drafted tenancy agreements will already contain much of this information.
What happens if landlords do not provide the required information?
Failure to provide the required information may result in enforcement action by the local authority.
Local councils will have the power to issue civil penalties for non-compliance. Current guidance indicates that:
- a civil penalty of up to £7,000 may be imposed for a breach, and
- higher penalties may apply for repeat or serious offences.
For this reason, landlords should ensure that the required information is provided within the relevant timeframe.
Practical steps for landlords
To comply with the new rules, landlords should consider the following steps:
- Monitor GOV.UK for publication of the official Information Sheet
- Provide the document to all existing tenants before the deadline
- Ensure new tenancy agreements include the required written statement of terms
- Keep records showing that the information was given to tenants