Understanding the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet (2026)

From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will reshape how tenancies work across the private rented sector in England. Alongside these changes, the government has issued the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 - a document designed to help tenants understand what the new rules mean for them in practice.

For landlords and letting agents, it’s not just a piece of guidance. It’s a clear indication of how tenancies will operate moving forward, and where existing agreements and processes may no longer align with the law.

What is the Information Sheet, and why does it matter?

The Information Sheet is a government-produced summary of the key legal changes taking effect from May 2026. It is aimed primarily at tenants, explaining how their rights and tenancy structure will change automatically under the new legislation. Crucially, the rules it describes apply regardless of what is written in a tenancy agreement. Landlords cannot override these changes through contract terms, even if older agreements suggest otherwise.

Does it need to be given to tenants?

This is where there has been some confusion across the industry.

There is no clear, blanket requirement to issue the Information Sheet for every tenancy going forward. However, landlords are required to provide written tenancy information in certain (and most) situations, particularly where no written agreement exists, and some transitional provisions reference a deadline of 31 May 2026.

The changes tenants are being told about

What makes the Information Sheet so important is not the document itself, but the changes it explains. These are fundamental shifts in how tenancies operate.

The most significant is the move away from fixed terms. From 1 May 2026, all tenancies become periodic by default. Any existing fixed term simply falls away, and the tenancy continues on a rolling basis.

At the same time, Assured Shorthold Tenancies are effectively abolished. They transition automatically into assured periodic tenancies, without requiring a new agreement or any action from the landlord.

Another major change is the removal of Section 21. Landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without giving a reason. Instead, possession must be based on specific legal grounds, using the Section 8 process. This introduces a more evidence-based system, where justification becomes central to regaining possession.

Rent increases are also more tightly controlled in terms of process. Rather than relying on rent review clauses in tenancy agreements, landlords must now use the statutory Section 13 procedure. This limits increases to once per year, requires formal notice, and gives tenants the right to challenge the proposed rent if they believe it exceeds market levels.

Tenants, on the other hand, gain flexibility. They can end the tenancy at any point by giving two months’ notice in writing from their rent due date, rather than being tied into a fixed term.

There is also a notable shift around pets. Tenants now have the right to request one, and landlords must consider that request reasonably. Refusals are still possible, but they must be justified rather than automatic.

Taken together, these changes mark a clear move towards longer-term, more flexible tenancies with stronger tenant protections.

What this means in practice for landlords and agents

The biggest takeaway is that the legislation overrides the agreement, not the other way around. This creates a risk where older tenancy templates still contain clauses that no longer have any effect. For example, many agreements historically relied on fixed terms or built-in rent review clauses. Under the new rules, these provisions can no longer be used in the same way, even if they remain written into the contract.

Your current agreement already reflects part of this shift by operating as a periodic tenancy from the outset, which aligns with the direction of travel. However, other areas, such as notice requirements or wording around tenancy structure, may still need careful review to ensure they fully reflect how the law will be interpreted in practice.

Beyond the paperwork, there is also a behavioural shift to consider. Tenants will be more aware of their rights, and more likely to challenge decisions around rent increases, possession, or requests such as pets. This makes clear communication, accurate documentation, and consistent processes more important than ever.

What we've done to prepare

At this stage, the priority is not just understanding the Information Sheet, but aligning day-to-day operations with the legislation behind it. Behind the scenes, we’ve been proactively preparing for these changes by:

• Reviewing all existing tenancies and ensuring they align with the move to Assured Periodic Tenancies from 1 May 2026
• Updating rent processes to ensure increases are compliant with the Section 13 framework, including annual limits
• Communicating with tenants where appropriate to explain how the changes affect their tenancy, including sharing the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet as part of our guidance
• Removing outdated terminology such as “Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)”, “fixed term”, and “renewal” from our documentation and communications
• Reviewing rent increase timelines to ensure they align with the new requirement of no more than one increase per 12-month period