The Information Sheet is one of the most misunderstood parts of the Renters' Rights Act 2025, and one of the easiest to get wrong. Under the Act, most landlords and letting agents in England had to give their existing tenants an official government document, "The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026", by 31 May 2026. That deadline has now passed, but the obligation and the penalty behind it have not gone away. Getting this wrong can still cost up to £7,000, so it is worth checking you handled it correctly.
Here is what the requirement involves, who it applies to, and what to do if you missed the deadline or are not certain you complied.
What the Information Sheet is
The Information Sheet is a document produced by the government to explain how the Renters' Rights Act changes a tenancy. It covers the major changes, including the end of fixed term assured shorthold tenancies and the move to rolling periodic tenancies, new rules on rent increases, how tenancies can be ended, the right for tenants to request a pet, and changes to student lets. It is an information document, not a new contract, so you do not need to reissue existing tenancy agreements.
Who had to serve it
The requirement applied to existing tenancies in England, granted before 1 May 2026, that have a wholly or partly written record of terms, including a written tenancy agreement. In practice that covers the vast majority of assured shorthold tenancies.
A few points that catch people out:
- Every named tenant must get their own copy. A single household copy is not enough.
- If a letting agent manages the property, the agent must also provide the sheet, even if the landlord already has. Serving it twice is fine. Assuming the other party did it is the real risk.
- You do not need to give it to lodgers.
How it must be served
This is where the "misunderstood" label is earned, because the detail matters:
- Use the exact, unedited version. The sheet is only valid when downloaded from the official gov.uk page. An edited, reformatted or outdated copy does not count as compliance, even with good intentions.
- Serve tenants individually, not as a group.
- Keep proof of service. You need to be able to show how and when each tenant received it. Save the email, the delivery record or a dated note, and store it with the tenancy file.
The parts the headline misses
The simple "send the sheet" message hides two important exceptions:
- Wholly verbal tenancies. If a tenancy made before 1 May 2026 was entirely verbal, you must not send the Information Sheet. Instead you had to provide a written statement setting out the key terms of the tenancy, again by 31 May 2026.
- New tenancies from 1 May 2026. For tenancies entered into on or after 1 May 2026, the Information Sheet is not used. The required information is given as part of the tenancy agreement before it is signed.
If you served a section 21 or section 8 notice before 1 May 2026, or rely on certain possession grounds, the timing can differ, so check your specific position.
What to do if you missed the deadline or are unsure
The deadline has passed, but doing nothing is the worst option. If you did not serve the sheet, or you are not confident it was served correctly, the practical position across the sector is to serve or re-serve now:
- Download the current official sheet from gov.uk.
- Send it to every named tenant individually.
- Record how and when you sent it, and keep that evidence with the tenancy file.
Late compliance is better than no compliance, and a clear record puts you in a far stronger position if the point is ever raised.
The penalty
Failure to comply can lead to a fine of up to £7,000. It applies whether the miss was deliberate or simply an oversight, which is exactly why the correct document, individual service and proof of delivery matter so much.
The bottom line
The Information Sheet looks like a formality, and that is precisely why it trips people up. The obligation is specific: the correct official document, served to each named tenant, with proof you did it. If you handled that before 31 May, keep your evidence safe. If you did not, or you are not sure, sort it now rather than leaving a £7,000 gap in your records.
If you are a private landlord and want help checking your Renters' Rights Act compliance, the Airsat Real Estate lettings team can support you through it.
This article is general information and not legal advice. For guidance on a specific tenancy, speak to a qualified adviser.