Everything landlords need to do before 31 May

On 1 May 2026, the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act came into effect. This legislation introduces fundamental changes to tenancy structures, eviction processes, and financial conduct.

With so many things changing, it can be easy to not understand what your responsibilities are as a landlord come the end of the month. Here are five things you need to do before the 31 May in order to stay compliant. 

1. Distribute the official information sheet

If you have tenants on an Assured Tenancy or Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) that was created before 1 May 2026, and you have a written agreement in place, you are legally required to provide them with the new government Renters’ Rights Act information sheet 2026.

• provide it in the correct format – it must be given as a hard copy (handed over in person or sent by post) or as a direct digital attachment, like a PDF via email. Simply sending a web link to the GOV.UK page is not legally sufficient
• include all tenants – every named tenant on the tenancy agreement must receive their own copy

This must be done by the 31 May 2026.

2. Formalise verbal agreements with written terms

Not all tenancies have a formal written contract. If you have an existing tenancy based on a verbal agreement made before 1 May 2026, the standard Information Sheet process doesn’t apply to you in the same way.

Instead, the Act requires you to provide these tenants with a written summary outlining the key terms of their tenancy. This document must clearly state the agreed-upon rules, rent, and responsibilities, and it must be supplied to the tenant on or before the 31 May 2026 deadline.

3. Student landlords: issue your notices

The new rules bring specific changes for the student rental market. If you rent to students and plan to reclaim your property at the end of the current academic year, you need to act before the 31 May.

To rely on the updated Ground 4A (the specific possession ground for student lets), you have until 31 May 2026 to give your current tenants formal written notice, stating that you may require the property back using.

Without this prior notice served by the 31 May deadline, you may face significant hurdles when trying to transition the property to a new group of students for the next academic year.

4. Confirm compliance with your letting agent

If you use a letting agent or property management company, do not assume they have automatically handled things for you.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, the legal and financial liability ultimately rests on you, the landlord. If your agent misses the deadline, it’s you who’s at fault.

Before 31 May, you should contact your agent and ask a few important questions:

• do they have clear evidence to prove compliance if your local authority investigates?
• have they distributed the Information Sheet to every named tenant across your portfolio?
• did they provide it as a hard copy or PDF attachment, rather than just a link?
• if you have any verbal tenancies, have they drafted and sent the written terms?
• if you are a student landlord, have they served the Ground 4A notices?

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