Renters' Rights Act 2025: what every landlord must know
Complete guide to the Renters' Rights Act 2025 for landlords. Understand key changes, why deadlines are in 2026, and the Information Sheet requirement.
1 April 2026 · 5 min read · Ploxit Team
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 represents the most significant shake-up to England's rental sector in decades. With the final deadline of 31 May 2026 fast approaching, landlords and letting agents need to understand exactly what's required to stay compliant.
Despite its name suggesting otherwise, this isn't legislation you can leave until next year. The clock is ticking, and the consequences of non-compliance could be severe.
Why is it called the 2025 Act when deadlines are in 2026?
The confusion around dates is understandable. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 refers to when the legislation received Royal Assent and became law. However, the government built in a transition period to allow landlords time to prepare for the changes.
The key deadline every landlord must remember is 31 May 2026. This is when the most significant provisions come into force, including the mandatory Information Sheet requirements that affect virtually every tenancy in England.
This staggered implementation was designed to prevent chaos in the rental market, but it's created confusion. Many landlords assume they have longer to prepare than they actually do.
The biggest changes landlords need to know
Section 21 notices are abolished
The most headline-grabbing change is the complete removal of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions. From 31 May 2026, landlords will only be able to evict tenants using Section 8 notices with specific grounds.
This fundamentally changes the landlord-tenant relationship. You'll need documented reasons to end a tenancy, such as:
• Rent arrears • Breach of tenancy terms • Wanting to sell the property • Needing the property for family use
All tenancies become periodic
Fixed-term tenancies are largely eliminated. New tenancies will be periodic from the start, rolling month-to-month or week-to-week. This gives tenants much more flexibility to leave with appropriate notice.
Rent increase restrictions
Landlords can only increase rent once per year, and tenants gain new rights to challenge increases they consider unreasonable through a tribunal process.
Enhanced property standards
The Act introduces stricter requirements around property conditions, with local authorities getting stronger enforcement powers and higher penalties for non-compliance.
The Information Sheet duty: what you must do
Buried within the broader changes is a requirement that's catching many landlords off guard: the mandatory Information Sheet duty.
What is the Information Sheet?
The government has published an official Information Sheet (often referred to as 'Information Sheet 2026') that explains tenants' rights under the new legislation. This isn't a summary or interpretation – it's the official GOV.UK document that must be provided to tenants.
When must you provide it?
Every landlord must ensure their tenants receive the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. This applies to:
• All existing tenancies • New tenancies from 31 May 2026 onwards (within 14 days of the tenancy starting) • Tenancy renewals
How must you provide it?
The Act specifies that the Information Sheet must be provided in a way that creates a clear audit trail. Simply handing over a printed copy isn't sufficient – you need to be able to prove the tenant received it.
Acceptable methods include:
• Email with read receipts • Registered post • Hand delivery with signed acknowledgement • Digital platforms that track delivery and engagement
"The burden of proof lies entirely with the landlord. If you can't demonstrate that a tenant received the Information Sheet, you're not compliant – regardless of whether you actually sent it."
Penalties for non-compliance
Failure to provide the Information Sheet can result in fines of up to £7,000 per property. For portfolio landlords, this could quickly become financially crippling.
More concerning for many landlords is that non-compliance may also prevent you from serving valid Section 8 notices, effectively blocking your ability to regain possession of your property even with legitimate grounds.
Why manual compliance is risky
Many landlords initially assume they can handle Information Sheet compliance manually. The reality is more complex:
• Tracking challenges: With multiple properties and tenants, keeping track of who's received what becomes unwieldy • Proof requirements: Personal email accounts rarely provide sufficient audit trails for legal compliance • Ongoing obligations: New tenancies require the sheet within 14 days, creating ongoing administrative burden • Version control: If the government updates the Information Sheet, you'll need to redistribute the latest version
Tools like Ploxit were specifically designed to address these compliance challenges, automatically sending the official GOV.UK Information Sheet and maintaining the detailed audit logs that satisfy legal requirements.
Preparing for other changes
Review your tenancy agreements
Existing fixed-term agreements will need updating to reflect the new periodic structure and revised notice periods.
Update your processes
Section 8 procedures will become your only route to possession, so ensure you understand the grounds and notice requirements thoroughly.
Consider rent review policies
With restrictions on rent increases, you'll need a more strategic approach to rental pricing and reviews.
Getting ready for 31 May 2026
With weeks remaining until the deadline, prioritising your compliance efforts is crucial:
- Immediate priority: Ensure all existing tenants receive the Information Sheet with proper proof of delivery
- System setup: Establish processes for ongoing compliance with new tenancies
- Documentation review: Update tenancy agreements and standard procedures
- Training: Ensure you and any staff understand the new requirements
For many landlords, using a dedicated compliance platform like Ploxit removes the administrative burden while ensuring full legal compliance with defensible audit trails.
The bottom line
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 isn't just another piece of housing legislation – it's a fundamental restructuring of how the rental market operates. The Information Sheet requirement alone affects virtually every landlord in England, and the penalties for getting it wrong are severe.
With 31 May 2026 approaching rapidly, now is the time to ensure your compliance strategy is robust, documented, and legally defensible.
This article provides general information about the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and should not be considered legal advice. For specific guidance on your circumstances, consult a qualified legal professional.