How to Rent Guide — Proof of service for landlords

England landlords must give tenants the government’s How to Rent guide at the start of every new Assured Shorthold Tenancy. It can be provided as a printed booklet or emailed as a PDF — but you must be able to prove you served it. The guide is updated periodically and the most current version must always be used. Without proof of service you cannot serve a valid Section 21 notice. Reviewed March 2026.

What the rule is

The Assured Shorthold Tenancy Notices and Prescribed Requirements (England) Regulations 2015 require landlords to provide tenants with the government’s How to Rent checklist at the start of an AST. The booklet covers tenant rights and responsibilities, and is published and updated by MHCLG (formerly DLUHC) on gov.uk.

When it applies

• At the start of every new Assured Shorthold Tenancy in England
• When the guide has been updated since the last time it was served, give the new version at the next renewal
• For periodic tenancies that roll on without a new fixed term, serve the latest version if it has been updated

What landlords must do

• Download the latest version of the How to Rent guide from gov.uk before each new tenancy
• Provide a copy (print or email) to all new tenants at or before the tenancy start date
• Log the date you served it and the method of delivery
• Check regularly for new versions (gov.uk publishes updates without fixed intervals)
• At renewal or when the guide is updated, serve the new version to existing tenants

What evidence to keep

• A copy of the version of the guide you served (note the version date)
• Date and method of service for each tenant
• Evidence (email delivery receipt, WhatsApp confirmation, or signed receipt)
• For renewals: record of serving any updated version

Common mistakes

• Serving an outdated version — always download the latest from gov.uk at the time of the new tenancy, not the version you used last time
• No record of which version was served — the version date matters if challenged
• Sending to only one tenant in a joint tenancy — serve all named tenants
• Failing to re-serve on renewal — if the guide has been updated, provide the new version when the tenancy renews
• Relying on WhatsApp or verbal confirmation — use email with a read receipt or get a signed receipt at check-in

What changed on 1 May 2026

The Renters’ Rights Act is expected to retain the How to Rent Guide requirement. The guide itself may be updated to reflect the new periodic tenancy regime. Check gov.uk for the latest version when the Act takes effect.

FAQ

Can I email the How to Rent Guide instead of printing it? Yes. You can email a link to the gov.uk page or a PDF. Keep a copy of the sent email as your evidence.

Which version must I provide? Always the most current version available on gov.uk at the time of the new tenancy. Older versions are not acceptable for new tenancies.

Do I need to provide it for renewals? If the guide has been updated since the tenancy started, provide the new version at renewal. For statutory periodic tenancies rolling on after the fixed term, provide the latest version if it has been updated.

What happens if I can’t prove I served it? Without proof of service, your Section 21 notice may be invalid. Courts have struck down Section 21 notices on this basis.

What if a tenant refuses to acknowledge receipt? Use a method with a built-in record — email with a read receipt, recorded post, or a check-in sheet signed at move-in. If a tenant refuses to sign, note the date and witness if possible.