Following the long‑awaited abolition of section 21 on 1 May 2026, many landlords in the private rented sector may have felt they could finally pause for breath. However, that moment is short‑lived. A critical compliance deadline is now looming on Sunday 31 May 2026.
By acting now, landlords can stay on top of their obligations and avoid potential penalties of up to £7,000. If you’d like support with managing your private rented residential tenancies under the new Renters’ Rights Act 2025, do get in touch.
Existing tenancies with a written agreement
If:
- the private rented residential tenancy began before 1 May 2026, and
- there is already a written tenancy agreement or record of terms in place
Landlords (and their agents) must provide tenants with:
The Government Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 which can be found here: The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 - GOV.UK
- The official Government Information Sheet must be served by 31 May 2026.
- It must be given to every named tenant on the tenancy agreement
- It must be served directly on the tenant(s):
- In hard-copy printed form by post or by hand delivery; or
- By sending an electronic copy by attachment to an email or text
- A website link to the Information Sheet alone is not sufficient
Existing tenancies with no written agreement
Where a tenancy created before 1 May 2026 is based on a verbal agreement, landlords must now formalise it.
By 31 May 2026, landlords must:
- Provide the tenant(s) with a written statement of terms
The required content is extensive and is detailed in Regulations and includes (but is not limited to):
- Core tenancy details
- Names of landlord(s) and tenant(s)
- Property address
- Address for service of notices on the landlord in England and Wales
- Start date of tenant’s right to occupy
- Financial terms
- Rent amount
- Payment frequency and due date
- Confirmation of any deposit
- Legal and procedural information
- Rent increase provisions under the statutory regime
- How the landlord may recover possession (via statutory grounds and court process)
- Practical arrangements
- Responsibility for bills and how charges are communicated
- Landlord repairing obligations
- Basic tenant obligations (use and condition of the property)
- Safety and compliance
- Gas and electrical safety obligations
- Other statutory compliance requirements
- Tenant rights
- Key rights for tenants under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 framework
New tenancies from 1 May 2026
For all residential tenancies granted on or after 1 May 2026, landlords must provide the required written statement of terms (as explained above) before the tenancy is agreed.
This can be done by either:
- incorporating the required information within the tenancy agreement, or
- supplying it as a separate document
Existing and New student tenancies
Any private landlord who rents to students must ensure they provide a further written statement if they wish to rely on the new Ground 4A Schedule 2 Housing Act 1988 which allows landlords to recover possession between 1 June and 30 September each year.
A failure to serve this notice will stop student landlords from being able to rely on Ground 4A to seek possession in the future.
For any existing student tenancies which began before 1 May 2026, landlords must ensure this written statement to rely on Ground 4A is served by 31 May 2026.
The 31 May 2026 deadline is a critical compliance checkpoint. Landlords (and their agents) should be reviewing their existing tenancy portfolios without delay to ensure all documentation and information requirements have now been met.
