7 July 2026 · 6 min read
The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 — What Tenants Need to Know
Written by the RentingRights team, based on official GOV.UK guidance. Last reviewed: 7 July 2026.
The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 is a short, official document that most landlords and letting agents in England must have given to their tenants by 31 May 2026. It is not a new tenancy agreement, and it does not change your existing contract. Instead, it is a summary of how your rights changed when the Renters' Rights Act 2025 came into force on 1 May 2026.
If you rent privately and have an assured or assured shorthold tenancy, the rules in the Information Sheet apply to you. If you are a lodger, or you live in social housing, the new rules usually do not apply. You can download the official sheet from GOV.UK.
What the Information Sheet is and why it exists
The Government introduced the Information Sheet so that tenants know what changed on 1 May 2026. The law now requires landlords to give every qualifying tenant a copy of the exact PDF published on GOV.UK. It explains, in plain English, that assured shorthold tenancies have been abolished, no fault Section 21 evictions have ended, and all private tenancies are now periodic. It also sets out new rules on rent increases, pets, and the grounds a landlord must use to regain possession.
The rules apply automatically, even if your landlord has not rewritten your tenancy agreement. Your landlord cannot add a clause to the agreement that takes these rights away.
When landlords must issue it and to whom
Most landlords and letting agents must have given the Information Sheet to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement by 31 May 2026. If a letting agent manages the property, the agent must give it, even if the landlord has also given a copy.
The sheet must be given if the tenancy is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy with a written record of terms, even if that record is only partial. It does not apply to lodgers.
After 31 May 2026, there is a second situation where the landlord must provide it. If your landlord gave you a valid Section 8 or Section 21 notice before 1 May 2026, and that notice later becomes invalid or the court process finishes without you being evicted, your tenancy will become an assured periodic tenancy. In that case, the landlord must give you the Information Sheet within one month of the notice becoming invalid or the court process ending.
The sheet must be the exact PDF downloaded from the GOV.UK page. A landlord cannot simply email or text a link to it. They must either give you a printed hard copy by hand or post, or send the PDF as an electronic attachment, for example as an email attachment.
What the Information Sheet actually contains
The sheet covers the key rights and rules that affect you from 1 May 2026. These include:
- End of Section 21 and assured shorthold tenancies. Your tenancy is now an assured periodic tenancy. Your landlord can no longer evict you without a reason and must use a specific legal ground. For more on what to do if a landlord still tries to evict you, read our guide to Section 21 abolished: what happens if your landlord still tries to evict you.
- Periodic tenancies. Fixed terms are no longer possible. Your tenancy rolls on from month to month, or whatever shorter period is in your agreement, until you or your landlord end it lawfully.
- Rent increases. Rent review clauses in your existing agreement cannot be used for new increases after 1 May 2026. Your landlord can only increase the rent once per year using the Section 13 process and Form 4A. They must give at least two months' notice, and the increase must not be above the open market rent. You can challenge it at the First-tier Tribunal.
- Ending the tenancy. You can end the tenancy by giving your landlord at least two months' written notice. The notice must end on the day the rent is due, or the day before.
- Grounds for possession. Your landlord must give you a Section 8 notice that states a legal ground. Some grounds, such as wanting to sell or move in a family member, cannot be used in the first 12 months of the tenancy. At court, the landlord must prove the ground and you can argue against it. You can read more about the grounds in our grounds for possession in England guide.
- Pets. You have the right to request to keep a pet. Your landlord cannot unreasonably refuse, and must give you written reasons if they do. You can challenge an unreasonable refusal in court.
- Students. If you are a full-time student renting from a private landlord, special rules about possession ground 4A and end-of-year notice apply.
You can read the full official sheet on GOV.UK.
What to do if your landlord has not provided it
If you are a qualifying tenant and you did not receive the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026, your landlord is in breach. The penalty for failing to provide it can be a fine of up to £7,000.
Start by asking your landlord or agent for a copy in writing. Keep a record of your request. If they refuse or ignore you, report it to your local council's housing or private rented sector team. They can investigate and, if appropriate, issue a penalty.
If your landlord later tries to use certain procedures, the failure to give you the sheet may also affect their ability to rely on those steps. Getting advice early from Shelter, Citizens Advice, or a housing solicitor can help you understand what it means for your specific case.
How it connects to the wider Renters' Rights Act 2025
The Information Sheet is part of a much bigger set of changes that came into force on 1 May 2026. The same Act that created the sheet also abolished Section 21 no fault evictions, made all tenancies periodic, limited rent increases to once per year using the proper process, banned rental bidding wars, extended the Decent Homes Standard to the private sector, and created a new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman and landlord database.
If you want to understand what reasons a landlord can now use to evict you, read our guide to the grounds for possession in England. For what happens if a landlord still tries to use an old Section 21 notice, see our guide on what to do if your landlord still tries to evict you.
Official GOV.UK publication
The official Information Sheet is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. You can view and download it from The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 on GOV.UK.
If you think your landlord should have given you the sheet and you are not sure what to do next, get a free answer at rentingrights.co.uk, no account needed.
Disclaimer: RentingRights provides legal information only, not legal advice. This information reflects the law in England as of May 2026 and is sourced from GOV.UK under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Laws and guidance change, so always verify against current GOV.UK guidance before taking action. We are an independent service operated by Olivian Group Ltd and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the government. For advice on your specific situation, consult a qualified housing solicitor or contact Shelter on 0808 800 4444.
Does this apply to your situation?
Every tenancy situation is different. The information above explains the general rules, but what matters is whether they apply to your specific situation.
Paste your notice, letter, or landlord message into the box below and get a plain-English assessment of exactly where you stand.
You can paste the text of any letter, notice, or landlord email directly into the box for a specific assessment.
First answer is free. No card. No catch.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026?
- It is a short official document published by the Government that summarises the changes introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Most landlords and letting agents must have given it to their tenants by 31 May 2026.
- Who must receive the Information Sheet?
- Private tenants with an assured or assured shorthold tenancy that has a written or partly written record of terms. It does not apply to lodgers or tenants in social housing.
- When must landlords give the Information Sheet?
- For most tenancies, by 31 May 2026. If a tenancy becomes an assured periodic tenancy after that date because an old Section 8 or Section 21 notice is no longer valid or court proceedings have ended, the landlord must give it within one month.
- What rights does the Information Sheet cover?
- It covers the end of Section 21 and assured shorthold tenancies, the move to periodic tenancies, limits on rent increases, the grounds a landlord must use to evict you, your right to request a pet, how you can end the tenancy, and special rules for students.
- What happens if my landlord does not give me the Information Sheet?
- They can be fined up to £7,000. You should ask for a copy in writing and keep a record. If they refuse or ignore you, report it to your local council's housing or private rented sector team.
- Where can I download the official Information Sheet?
- You can download the official PDF from GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-renters-rights-act-information-sheet-2026. The landlord must use the exact PDF from that page, not a link.