Only 153,000 downloads of the Renters’ Rights Act information sheet with 9 days left

With just nine days remaining until the 31 May 2026 deadline, only 153,000 downloads of the government’s mandatory Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet have been recorded. This figure falls far short of the number required to cover England’s 2.3 million private landlords, raising concerns about widespread non-compliance across the sector.

Legal requirements under the Renters’ Rights Act

The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 impose a clear obligation on landlords. Every tenant named on an existing written or partly written tenancy agreement entered into before 1 May 2026 must be provided with the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.

This requirement applies to all standard Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) and similar agreements with any written record of terms. Where a letting agent is involved, they share a parallel obligation to serve the Information Sheet, but this does not replace the landlord’s own duty.

For tenancies based solely on verbal agreements made before 1 May 2026, landlords must instead provide a Written Statement of Terms by the same deadline.

Penalties for non-compliance

Failure to serve the Information Sheet can result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000 per tenancy, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) guidance suggesting a starting point of £4,000. Local authorities may adjust penalties based on factors such as the severity of the breach, the landlord’s compliance history, and whether financial gain was involved.

If the breach continues beyond 28 days after a penalty notice, it becomes a continuing offence, attracting further civil penalties up to £40,000 or potential criminal prosecution. For landlords with multiple properties, penalties accumulate, meaning five unserved tenancies could result in a £20,000 minimum liability.

Importantly, MHCLG guidance states there is no expectation for councils to issue informal warnings before taking formal enforcement action.

Broader implications beyond fines

Non-compliance can also adversely affect possession proceedings. Courts may consider failure to meet statutory obligations when landlords seek to recover properties, potentially weakening their position. Legal representatives for tenants are likely to scrutinise compliance records, making it risky to enter hearings without proof of serving the Information Sheet.

Moreover, if a landlord does not remedy a breach within 28 days of receiving a civil penalty, tenants or local authorities can apply for a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) reclaiming up to two years’ rent. While a single failure alone does not trigger an RRO, ignoring a penalty notice can.

Serving the Information Sheet takes only a few minutes, yet the consequences of neglecting this duty can persist for years.

Common mistakes landlords should avoid

• Sending a link instead of the PDF: The government’s guidance is explicit that a link to the GOV.UK webpage is insufficient. The exact PDF document must be attached or physically handed to tenants. Simply emailing a link does not satisfy the legal requirement.
• Serving only one tenant on a joint tenancy: There is no legal concept of a “lead tenant.” Every tenant named on the agreement must receive their own copy of the Information Sheet.
• Using an altered version: Only the original PDF downloaded directly from GOV.UK is valid. Reformatted, converted, or summarised versions do not comply.
• Assuming the agent has served it: The landlord’s obligation is separate from the agent’s. Landlords should obtain written confirmation and evidence that their agent has fulfilled this duty.
• Lacking proof of service: Serving the document is one obligation; proving it was served is another. Verbal assurances or assumptions are not sufficient evidence in disputes.

How to serve the Information Sheet correctly

Landlords should download the exact PDF from GOV.UK and ensure it remains unaltered. Every named tenant on each tenancy must receive their own copy. Acceptable methods of service include hand delivery with a signed and dated receipt, recorded delivery, or email with the PDF attached and a request for confirmation of receipt.

It is essential to record the date, method, tenant name, and retain evidence of service securely for at least two years.

Ensuring robust proof of compliance

In the event of a local authority investigation, landlords must prove they served the correct document on the correct date to each tenant. Confirmation emails, signed receipts, or screenshots of sent emails with attachments are suitable evidence.

However, storing this evidence accessibly is crucial. Documents buried in email threads may be difficult to retrieve when needed.

Specialised services such as the Landlord Compliance Register (LLCR) offer secure, timestamped records of compliance documents. Using cryptographic hashing anchored to a public ledger, LLCR provides tamper-evident proof that documents existed in their original form at a specific time.

What this means for landlords

The low number of downloads suggests many landlords have yet to serve the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet, risking significant penalties and legal complications. With the deadline imminent, landlords must act swiftly to comply fully and retain evidence.

Failure to do so not only exposes landlords to fines but may also undermine their ability to enforce tenancy agreements and recover possession in the future. Taking a few minutes now to serve the correct document properly can prevent costly consequences down the line.

Source: Based on reporting from Property118

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TLA update

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