Renters’ Rights Act 2026: What Landlords Need to Do Now

The government has now released further detail on the upcoming changes under the Renters’ Rights Act, with new requirements coming into force from 1 May 2026.

If you’re a landlord in England—particularly if you’re self-managing—this is an important update. The latest guidance clarifies what information must now be given to tenants and when.

At Goldsmith Property, we’ve broken this down into what it means for you in practice.

📄 A New Legal Requirement: The “Information in Writing”

The government has published a new document:

👉 The Renters’ Rights Act: Information Sheet (2026)

This is mandatory information that must be provided to tenants.

Who does this apply to?

You must give this document to:

• All tenants with agreements already in place before 1 May 2026, AND

• Where the tenancy is still ongoing on 1 May 2026

👉 In simple terms:
If your tenant is still living in the property on 1 May, you need to provide this.

⏱️ When Do You Need to Serve It?

The guidance suggests a grace period:

• You can serve the document any time between now and 31 May 2026

However, there is some nuance.

Our advice (to stay compliant):

• If you want to be fully aligned with the legislation, consider serving it after 1 May 2026

• This avoids any risk of serving it too early, before the law formally applies

📝 Additional Guidance: Written Statement Requirements

Alongside the information sheet, the government has also released:

👉 Guidance on the Written Statement landlords must provide

This outlines:

• The legal content required in tenancy documentation

• What tenants must be told about their rights and responsibilities

• How landlords should structure and present this information

This is part of a wider move towards greater transparency and tenant awareness

⚠️ Why This Matters

This isn’t just guidance—it forms part of legal compliance under the new framework.

Failing to provide required information could:

• Impact your ability to enforce tenancy terms

• Cause issues with possession proceedings in future

• Leave you exposed to penalties or disputes

With legislation tightening, administrative compliance is becoming just as important as property management itself.

✅ What Landlords Should Do Now

Here’s a simple checklist:

1. Identify affected tenancies

Review your portfolio and flag:

• Any tenancy that started before 1 May 2026

• And will still be active on that date

2. Download the official document

Access the government’s Information Sheet (2026)

3. Plan your communication

• Decide whether to send before or after 1 May

• Keep clear records of when and how it’s served

4. Review your tenancy documents

Ensure your agreements and processes align with the new written statement guidance

🤝 How Goldsmith Property Can Help

These changes are another step in the ongoing transformation of the lettings landscape—something we’ve already seen in Wales and now increasingly in England.

For many landlords, especially those managing properties themselves, keeping up with compliance is becoming:

• Time-consuming

• Complex

• Risk-heavy

At Goldsmith Property, we specialise in:

• Keeping landlords fully compliant with evolving legislation

• Managing all required documentation and communication

• Providing peace of mind that everything is handled correctly

💬 Final Thoughts

The Renters’ Rights Act is not just a future change—it’s happening now, and the detail is starting to land.

Getting ahead of these requirements early will help you avoid unnecessary risk and ensure your tenancies remain secure.

If you’re unsure what applies to your property or want support navigating the changes, we’re here to help.