Written information requirements from 1 May 2026

From 1 May 2026, England landlords need to separate three different situations: new tenancies, existing written tenancies, and existing oral tenancies. The rules are now live, and the 31 May 2026 catch-up deadline matters for older agreements.

What the rule is

The government now requires landlords to give tenants prescribed written information about key tenancy terms in some situations. If you do not comply, the local council can take enforcement action and you can be fined.

The main point is that the rule does not work the same way for every tenancy:

• New tenancies created on or after 1 May 2026: give the prescribed written information before you sign the tenancy agreement or otherwise agree the tenancy
• Tenancies created before 1 May 2026 with a written agreement already in place: do not give the new written information again; give the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 instead
• Tenancies created before 1 May 2026 that were entirely oral: give the prescribed written information by 31 May 2026

When it applies

New tenancies on or after 1 May 2026

If you create a tenancy on or after 1 May 2026, you must give the tenant the prescribed written information before the tenancy is agreed.

You can:

• include it in the written tenancy agreement, or
• give it separately

It does not have to be a standalone document if the tenancy agreement already contains the required information.

Existing written tenancies created before 1 May 2026

If the tenancy started before 1 May 2026 and you already have a written record of the agreement, you do not need to issue the new written information.

Instead, you must give every named tenant the government-produced Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May 2026.

Existing oral tenancies created before 1 May 2026

If the tenancy started before 1 May 2026 and the agreement was entirely oral, you cannot rely on the Information Sheet alone. You must give the tenant the prescribed written information by 31 May 2026.

What landlords must do

For new tenancies

• Prepare a tenancy agreement or separate document that includes the prescribed written information
• Give it to the tenant before signing or otherwise agreeing the tenancy
• Keep a copy of the version you used

For older written tenancies

• Download the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026
• Give it to all tenants named on the tenancy agreement by 31 May 2026
• Serve it in a way you can evidence later

For older oral tenancies

• Record the key tenancy terms in writing
• Give that written information to the tenant by 31 May 2026
• Keep evidence of when and how you served it

What evidence to keep

• A copy of the written tenancy agreement or separate written-information document used for new tenancies
• A copy of the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 served for older written tenancies
• Evidence of service for each tenant named on the tenancy
• A dated copy of any written information created for older oral tenancies

Common mistakes

• Giving existing written tenancies the wrong document — most pre-1 May 2026 written tenancies need the Information Sheet, not a new tenancy statement
• Assuming the written information must be separate — it can be included in the tenancy agreement
• Forgetting all named tenants — the Information Sheet must go to every tenant named on the agreement
• Not keeping service evidence — if challenged later, you need to show when and how you served the document

FAQ

Do I need to rewrite all of my existing tenancy agreements?
No. If the tenancy was created before 1 May 2026 and you already have a written record of the terms, you normally just need to serve the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.

Can the tenancy agreement itself satisfy the new written-information requirement for new tenancies?
Yes. GOV.UK says the prescribed information can be included in the written tenancy agreement or given separately.

What if I only had a verbal agreement before 1 May 2026?
You need to give the tenant the prescribed written information by 31 May 2026.

What happens if I miss the requirement?
The council can enforce the rule and GOV.UK says the fine can be up to £7,000 for failing to provide the written information when required.