What Is the Information Sheet?

The Information Sheet is a standardised, government-produced document that explains to existing Assured Shorthold Tenants how their tenancy will change from 1 May 2026 under the new legislation. It covers the abolition of fixed-term ASTs, the transition to rolling periodic tenancies, revised rules around rent increases, and tenants' significantly strengthened rights.

The government's aim is clear: millions of renters will see their tenancy conditions change automatically. The Information Sheet ensures they are made aware of those changes in a consistent, standardised way, and it is the landlord's legal responsibility to deliver it.

It also informs tenants of the abolition of Section 21 "no-fault" evictions, that rent can only increase once per year via a formal Section 13 notice, and how they can end a tenancy under the new rolling framework.

Who Must Serve It and By When?

The Rules for Serving It Correctly

This is where many landlords may unknowingly fall foul of the requirements. The government guidance is precise about how the document must be served. Getting it wrong, even informally, may not constitute valid service.

• 1
  Use only the official GOV.UK PDFThe Information Sheet must be the government-published PDF document. You cannot substitute it with a summary, a link, or any version of your own creation.
• 2
  Serve every named tenant individuallyEvery person named on the tenancy agreement must receive their own copy. Serving it once to a household with multiple named tenants is not sufficient.
• 3
  Deliver as hard copy or PDF attachmentYou may serve in person, by post, or electronically, but if sending by email, it must be attached as the PDF file itself, not shared as a link to the document.
• 4
  Retain full evidence of serviceKeep proof of delivery for every tenant: proof of postage, emails with attachments, signed receipts. If ever challenged, you must be able to demonstrate compliance.

The Penalties for Non Compliance

The Renters' Rights Act gives local housing authorities considerably stronger enforcement powers than they previously held. The consequences of non-compliance are financial and can be significant.

Beyond the headline figure, landlords who cannot demonstrate they have served the correct documentation may also find themselves unable to rely on certain possession grounds. Gaps in documentation weaken your legal position considerably.

Further Compliance Points to Be Aware Of

Rent increases can only occur once per year, following a valid Section 13 notice served with at least two months' notice. Raising rent outside this process exposes landlords to formal challenge.

Pet requests must now be responded to within 28 days, and refusal must be based on limited, reasonable grounds. Ignoring requests or issuing blanket refusals may constitute a breach.

Advance rent restrictions mean landlords can only require up to one month's rent in advance before a tenancy begins, and cannot accept rent payments before they fall due once the tenancy has started.