Two different documents, two different rules, and they're easy to mix up. Here's which one applies to which tenancy, and what to do if the 31 May deadline has already passed.
| Tenancy status on 1 May 2026 | Document required | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Already existing (wholly or partly written) | Government Information Sheet | 31 May 2026 |
| Wholly oral, existing before 1 May 2026 | Written statement of terms | 31 May 2026 |
| New periodic tenancy started on or after 1 May 2026 | Written statement of terms | Before the tenancy is entered into |
The distinction is whether the tenancy existed before commencement or started after it. Existing tenancies got the simpler Information Sheet with a grace period. New tenancies get the fuller written statement, and it has to be served before the tenancy begins, not within 30 days of it.
The old “How to Rent” guide was withdrawn on 1 May 2026 for new tenancies. If your process still references serving it, that step needs replacing with the Information Sheet or written statement as appropriate.
The penalty is civil, not automatic, but it's real: up to £7,000 for a first breach. The practical fix is straightforward — serve the document now, rather than waiting. A late Information Sheet is better than none, and demonstrating you've corrected the position matters if it's ever raised.
This is set out in Schedule 6, paragraph 7 of the Renters' Rights Act 2025 for existing tenancies, and in section 12 of the Act (inserting new section 16D into the Housing Act 1988) for the written statement of terms on new tenancies. Full government guidance is available on GOV.UK's Renters' Rights Act collection.
Each tenancy is flagged individually as needing the Information Sheet or the written statement, based on its own start date — not a single blanket rule for the whole portfolio. Once served, it's logged with the date and method for your records.
See how it works