The tenant information requirement is about delivering the correct document as well as keeping a useful record. A note saying “sent” is a weak administrative record if it does not identify the file or recipient. This English tenancy guide was reviewed on 15 October 2026.
Check which document applies
Most qualifying existing tenants should have received the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet by 31 May 2026. The official guidance requires the exact government PDF, supplied as a printed copy or an electronic attachment to every named tenant. Sending only a link is not sufficient.
Different written-information requirements apply to new tenancies and wholly verbal existing agreements. There are also later deadlines for certain tenancies affected by pre-May possession notices. Check the relevant category before deciding what was due.
Preserve a meaningful delivery record
Our suggested record identifies the property, tenants, document version, delivery method and actual date. Retain the attachment or printed version used, together with the accompanying message or delivery evidence.
If an agent manages the property, obtain their record too. Do not assume that a general assurance about an entire portfolio establishes what happened for each named tenant.
Deal honestly with gaps
If evidence is missing, investigate the actual position. Do not backdate a record or describe a document as delivered merely because it was prepared. Obtain advice about correcting an omission and any consequences of a missed deadline.
A well-organised file helps show what happened, but no particular checklist guarantees that service will be accepted in a dispute. The relevant legal requirement and the available evidence remain decisive.
Source: MHCLG Information Sheet guidance. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.