Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet Guide

Quick answer

Landlords and agents in England should give the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet to tenants where required, keep proof that it was sent, and avoid replacing it with summaries, screenshots, blog posts, old “How to Rent” assumptions or edited versions.

For existing tenancies that already had a written record of tenancy terms before 1 May 2026, the landlord generally gives the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026 rather than reissuing the entire tenancy agreement. For new tenancies from 1 May 2026, landlords must give required written information about key tenancy terms at the start of the tenancy.

Who this guide is for

This guide is for private landlords and letting agents in England who need to understand the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet requirement. It is also for tenants who have received the Sheet and want to understand whether it is the correct document, whether they should have received it, and what to do if it was not provided.

The guide is focused on private renting in England, especially assured periodic tenancies and existing private tenancies affected by the Renters’ Rights Act changes. Some occupiers, such as lodgers, social tenants, student halls residents, supported accommodation residents or people outside England, may have different rules.

1. When this guide is likely to apply

• a landlord needs to send the official Information Sheet to existing tenants;
• a letting agent manages a property and is deciding who sends the Sheet;
• a tenant received a PDF and wants to know what it means;
• a landlord has an old AST-style agreement and wonders whether to reissue it;
• a tenancy was verbal and written key terms may now be needed;
• a joint tenancy has several named tenants at different email addresses;
• a tenant needs an accessible format;
• a landlord is preparing a possession notice or rent increase and checking compliance records;
• a council, adviser or redress scheme asks for proof that required information was given.

2. What this guide does not cover

The Information Sheet does not solve every tenancy document issue. Landlords and agents should still check tenancy status, written information, deposits, rent increases, safety records, notices, repairs, licensing and data protection.

Who must receive it

1. Tenants, not just the lead contact

Where the duty applies, the safest recordkeeping practice is to send the official Information Sheet to each named tenant. Sending it only to one person in a joint tenancy can create avoidable evidence problems.

2. Joint tenancies

For a joint tenancy, keep proof for each tenant. If all joint tenants share one email address, record why that address was used and keep any acknowledgement. If each tenant has their own email, send it separately or clearly address it to all named tenants.

3. Tenants with agents

If a letting agent manages the property, the landlord and agent should not assume the other person handled service. The management agreement should say who sends tenant information, and the property file should contain proof.

4. Occupiers who are not tenants

Not every adult in the property is necessarily a tenant. Permitted occupiers, lodgers, family members, subtenants or licencees can have different status. If status is unclear, check tenancy type before deciding who must receive formal documents.

Related guide: Assured Periodic Tenancies Explained.

5. New landlord or new agent

If a property changes hands or a new agent takes over, check the compliance file. Do not assume the previous landlord or previous agent sent the Information Sheet unless there is proof.

6. Tenant cannot access email

If the tenant cannot access email or has asked for paper documents, use a method that is likely to reach them and keep proof. Digital delivery is useful only if the tenant can receive it.

7. Who-receives-it table

Deadlines and timing

1. Existing written tenancies

Where a tenancy already had a written record of its terms before 1 May 2026, GOV.UK written-information guidance explains that the landlord gives the government-produced Information Sheet instead of reissuing full written tenancy information. The deadline for that existing-tenancy route is 31 May 2026.

2. Existing verbal or partly unclear tenancies

If the tenancy terms were oral or not properly recorded, the landlord may need to provide a written record of key terms rather than relying only on the Information Sheet. This is a higher-risk area because the landlord may need to clarify rent, parties, address, deposit, repair duties and other key terms.

3. New tenancies from 1 May 2026

For new assured periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026, landlords must provide required written information about key tenancy terms at the start of the tenancy. A written tenancy agreement can help if it contains the required information.

Related guide: What Happened to Fixed-Term Tenancies?.

4. Do not wait until possession action

Landlords should not wait until there is a dispute, rent arrears or possession action before sending required information. Late service can create avoidable arguments and compliance risk.

5. Re-send after a correction

If the wrong document was sent, the PDF did not attach, the tenant email bounced, or only one joint tenant received it, correct the issue quickly and keep a correction note. A correction note should say what happened, when it was discovered, and what was done to fix it.

6. Timing table

Information Sheet vs written information

1. They are not the same document

The Information Sheet explains the Renters’ Rights Act changes to tenants. Written tenancy information records the key terms of the tenancy. A landlord should not confuse the two.

2. Written tenancy information

Required written information can include key details such as landlord name and address, property address, rent amount, rent due date, rent period, deposit amount, repair responsibilities, services and bills, and other core tenancy terms depending on the required format.

3. Old written agreement still matters

An old written AST-style agreement can still be important evidence of parties, property, rent, deposit and original terms. But old wording should not be assumed to override the new statutory position.

4. Information Sheet does not update all terms

Giving the Information Sheet does not rewrite every clause in an old tenancy agreement. It informs the tenant about how law changes affect the tenancy. Landlords should still update internal templates for new tenancies and check outdated terms before relying on them.

5. Do not replace deposit prescribed information

The Information Sheet is not deposit prescribed information. If a deposit was taken, the landlord still needs to comply with deposit protection and prescribed-information rules where they apply.

Related guide: Deposit Protection Checks in England.

6. Do not replace safety records

The Information Sheet does not replace gas safety records, electrical safety reports, EPC, licence records, alarm records or repair logs. These remain separate compliance documents.

7. Comparison table

How to give the Sheet

1. Use the official GOV.UK PDF

Use the official PDF published on GOV.UK. Do not rewrite it, edit it, crop it, paste it into a branded brochure, or replace it with a summary. If you also give a summary, still send the official PDF.

2. Email

Email is usually the easiest method to evidence. Attach the official PDF, use the tenant’s correct email address, include a clear subject line, and keep the sent email with attachment evidence.

3. Text or messaging app

If using a text or messaging app, attach or link the official PDF in a way the tenant can access and save. Keep screenshots and delivery information. Be careful if the platform compresses, expires or blocks attachments.

4. Post

If sending by post, keep a copy of the letter, the date posted, address used and postal proof. If several tenants live at different addresses or request separate copies, keep separate records.

5. Hand delivery

If hand delivering, keep a delivery note with date, time, address, person delivering, document name and witness if possible. A tenant signature can help but is not always available.

6. Tenant portal

If using a property-management portal, keep upload logs, notification records, tenant access records and a copy of the exact PDF uploaded. Do not rely on a portal if the tenant cannot access it.

7. Do not rely on a website link only

A bare link can be weaker than sending the official PDF because the landlord may struggle to prove the exact document given. If using a link as well, attach the PDF and keep the downloaded copy.

8. Delivery-method table

Proof of service

1. Keep proof for each tenant

The compliance file should show that each tenant who needed the Sheet received it or was sent it. A single note saying “sent to tenants” is weaker than a named record.

2. Keep the exact PDF

Save the PDF that was sent, not just a note that it was downloaded. If GOV.UK later updates the document, you should be able to show which version you used.

3. Keep the message body

The email or covering message should identify the property, tenant names, document name and purpose. This reduces later confusion about what was attached.

4. Keep agent evidence

If an agent sends the Sheet, the landlord should keep the agent’s sent email or portal log, not just an agent statement. The agent should keep a copy in the managed property file.

5. Use a service log

A service log should contain tenant name, property, document, version, method, address, sent date, sent by, acknowledgement and any issue such as bounce or resend.

6. Proof table

Accessible formats

1. Official PDF still required

GOV.UK alternative-format guidance says landlords and letting agents must send the official Information Sheet PDF. If a tenant needs the Information Sheet in an alternative format, a provided accessible version can be given as well, but not instead of the official PDF.

2. When accessible formats may matter

An accessible format may be needed where a tenant has a visual impairment, screen-reader need, learning disability, language or communication need, or another reason why the PDF alone is difficult to use.

3. Do not create your own unofficial version

Do not paraphrase the official Sheet as if it replaces the government document. If you help explain the Sheet, make clear that the explanation is supplementary and does not replace the official PDF.

4. Record the request

Keep a record of the tenant’s request, what format was provided, when it was sent, and that the official PDF was also given.

5. Translation and language support

If a tenant needs language support, consider signposting to advice or providing a supplementary explanation where appropriate. Do not replace the official document with an unofficial translation unless you are also providing the official PDF.

6. Accessibility table

Tenant checks

1. Check whether it is the official document

The document should be the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet from GOV.UK. A landlord’s summary, agent blog post or edited guide is not the same thing.

2. Check when you received it

Save the date you received it. If it was attached to an email, keep the email and attachment. If it was posted, keep the envelope if the date matters.

3. Check whether all joint tenants received it

If only one joint tenant received the Sheet, ask the landlord or agent to send it to all named tenants and keep the reply.

4. Use it as a starting point

The Information Sheet explains key rights and changes, but it does not give personalised advice. If you have a notice, rent increase, repair issue, deposit problem or eviction risk, check the specific route.

5. Do not ignore other documents

Receiving the Information Sheet does not mean the landlord has complied with deposit protection, safety records, written tenancy information, rent increase forms or possession notice rules. Check those separately where relevant.

6. Tenant action table

Landlord and agent checklist

1. Download the official PDF

Use the official GOV.UK page. Do not use a saved old draft, third-party upload, screenshot or edited copy.

2. Identify all tenancies

List each property, tenant name, tenancy type, written-agreement status, agent status and whether the Information Sheet or written key terms are needed.

3. Identify all tenants

Check named tenants, joint tenants, email addresses, postal addresses and accessible-format needs.

4. Decide delivery method

Use email, post, hand delivery, text, portal or agent delivery in a way that is reliable and evidence-backed.

5. Create a service log

Record date, method, document, tenant, property, sender and proof. Keep the log in the property compliance file.

6. Audit agent-managed properties

Agents should send the correct document and provide proof to the landlord. Landlords should ask for the actual sent record, not just a statement that it was done.

Related guide: Letting Agent Compliance Checklist.

7. Connect it to wider compliance

The Information Sheet service record should sit alongside written tenancy information, deposit records, safety documents, repair logs, rent increase records, pet request records and notice records.

Related guide: Landlord Recordkeeping Under Renters’ Rights.

8. Compliance table

Common mistakes

1. Sending a link instead of the PDF

A link may not prove which version was given. Attach the official PDF and keep a copy.

2. Sending only to one joint tenant

Joint tenancies need careful records. Send to each named tenant where possible.

3. Using an edited version

Do not edit the official Sheet or remove pages. A landlord-branded version can create confusion.

4. Confusing it with written tenancy terms

The Information Sheet explains the new rules. It does not necessarily provide all required written tenancy information for new or verbal tenancies.

5. Forgetting accessible needs

If a tenant needs an alternative format, provide support while still sending the official PDF.

6. Relying on agent verbal confirmation

Landlords should ask for proof. “The agent says they sent it” is weaker than the actual sent email, portal log or delivery record.

7. Sending after a dispute starts

Late service looks reactive and can weaken the landlord’s compliance position. Send required information on time.

8. Common-mistake table

Message templates

1. Landlord email sending the Information Sheet

2. Landlord service log format

3. Tenant request for the official Sheet

4. Tenant request for accessible format

5. Landlord request to agent for proof

6. Correction message if the wrong document was sent

7. Practical examples

Sources used

This guide was prepared from official government guidance first, then checked against legislation, Housing Hub materials, Shelter, Citizens Advice and landlord professional guidance. Because private renting law has recently changed, current GOV.UK, legislation.gov.uk, Housing Hub and updated professional guidance are more reliable than older tenancy manuals or out-of-date books.