Government publishes Renters’ Rights Act information sheet with £7,000 fine warning

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Government publishes Renters’ Rights Act information sheet with £7,000 fine warning

The government has published an information sheet on the Renters’ Rights Act, warning landlords that they could face a £7,000 fine if they fail to provide it to tenants by 31 May 2026.

The document outlines key changes introduced by the Renters’ Rights Act, including the abolition of fixed-term tenancies and rules on rent increases.

The government explain a copy of the information sheet must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement.

£7,000 fine for failing to provide information sheet

According to the government, if a landlord uses a letting agent to manage the property, the agent is responsible for providing the information sheet to the tenant, even if the landlord has already done so.

Landlords are required to issue the information sheet where the tenancy:

• is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• was created before 1 May 2026
• has a wholly or partly written record of terms (including a written tenancy agreement)

Landlords must provide the information sheet either by printing a hard copy (posted or given to tenants by hand) or by sending the PDF electronically as an attachment, for example via email or text message. The government warns that emailing or texting a link to the PDF is not valid.

The government has also confirmed that landlords are not required to change or reissue any existing written tenancy agreement.

If landlords do not provide the information sheet to tenants before 31 May 2026, they could face fines of up to £7,000.

The information sheet can be viewed and downloaded by clicking here.

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Landlords exit as demand soars and supply tightens

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Landlords exit as demand soars and supply tightens

Demand continues to outstrip supply as landlords leave the market due to the Renters’ Rights Act, claims a new report.

Propertymark’s Housing Insight report reveals the number of registrations per member branch has jumped to 87, with the average number of applicants per member branch sitting at seven people per property.

The news comes as the Renters’ Rights Act will become law on 1 May 2026.

PRS landlords have no confidence in the government

A Propertymark member agent from the South West told the report: “The Renters’ Rights Act is making more single property landlords leave the market. Social housing is non-existent, and the local authority is insisting that tenants do not move until they receive the bailiff letter. All compounding the reasons why private rented sector landlords have no confidence in the government.”

An agent in Yorkshire said: “Many frightened landlords and many more concerned tenants, people really struggling to secure rental property in our area.”

According to the report, 63% of member agents reported that rents remained generally static, and 17% reported an increase.

Challenge is availability

Phil Spencer, founder of MoveiQ, explains renters are struggling to find a place to live.

He said: “For renters, the challenge is still availability. With demand far outpacing supply in many areas, competition for rental homes remains intense, which can make securing a property stressful and time-consuming.

“The positive takeaway is that the market is functioning and transactions are continuing to happen. For buyers and renters alike, preparation is key, whether that means getting finances in order before house hunting or acting quickly when the right property becomes available.

“As the year progresses, many will be hoping that improvements in the wider economy start to ease the pressure on household budgets and make moving a little easier.”

Supply remains constrained

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said: “Within the lettings market, demand continues to outstrip supply, with an average of seven applicants competing for each available property. Although stock levels have edged slightly upward, supply remains constrained, and this imbalance is likely to remain a key challenge for renters and agents alike throughout the year.

“Overall, the data points to a market that is stabilising rather than surging. Activity is returning after seasonal slowdowns, but the pace of recovery will remain closely linked to inflation trends, interest rate decisions, and wider economic confidence during 2026.”

Rise in viewings

In the sales market, the average number of viewings per available property increased compared to the previous month, reaching 2.2 per property.

Market appraisal volumes, which indicate future supply, show that the average number of appraisals conducted per member branch stood at 21.

Mr Spencer said the data for the sales market shows a more considered pace among buyers: “What we are seeing in this data is that people haven’t stopped moving, but they are being more measured in their decisions.

“The rise in viewings suggests buyers have started to actively explore their options again, while stable buyer registrations show that demand is returning, even if people are taking longer to commit.”

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London’s rented home supply falls to 2.9% of stock

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London’s rented home supply falls to 2.9% of stock

Tenants across London are dealing with a tightening supply, with only a small share of homes available to let as the Renters’ Rights Act approaches.

Research from Benham and Reeves puts the number at 34,776 homes currently listed from an estimated private rented stock of 1,188,368.

That leaves just 2.9% of properties on the market at any one time.

Waltham Forest and Enfield both sit at 1.3%, while Barking and Dagenham follows at 1.4%.

Havering and Redbridge are at 1.5%, and Bexley, Hackney and Haringey each come in at 1.6%.

However, the firm is also warning that landlords selling up will worsen the supply for renters.

More landlords will exit

Marc von Grundherr, a director of Benham and Reeves, said: “Rental market supply will always ebb and flow and we are seeing some boost to stock, most notably via the continued expansion of the build to rent sector.

“However, the reality is that those searching for a rental home in London face an incredibly tough task, with only a minute proportion of total stock actually available to new tenants at any one time.”

He added: “It’s this imbalance that continues to drive long waiting lists, increasingly desperate tenant tactics such as paying six to 12 months’ rent upfront, and the sustained upward pressure on rental values across the capital.”

The firm is also warning that with the Renters’ Rights Act approaching, there’s a ‘real risk’ that more landlords will look to exit the PRS to restrict supply further.

Borough breakdown of supply

Across a wider spread of boroughs, availability holds at around 2% or below with Newham recording 2% and Lewisham 1.8%.

However, Bromley and Sutton are both at 1.7%. T

Central boroughs show higher figures, though that’s still a minority of the overall stock.

For example, Kensington and Chelsea reaches 8.4%, with Westminster at 7.4%.

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