Guidance For Landlords:
What you must do
As you may be aware, the government have advised that landlords must provide their tenants with official guidance on the changes to their tenancy under the Renters’ Rights Act.
All landlords must provide tenants with the official Government Information Sheet by 31st May, 2026.
EMPO have provided guidance on how we suggest members may best stay compliant. Below is a best practice guide on how we suggest landlords serve this to tenants.
Serving the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet – Step by Step Guide:
1. Check your current tenancy agreement
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Does it allow service by email?
Check your current tenancy agreement to see if it has a clause that allows service by email. -
If not → use post or hand delivery
2. Send to ALL tenants
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Every named tenant must receive it
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Includes joint tenancies (don’t just send to one person)
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You may wish to send to any guarantors too.
3. Use a reliable delivery method
Recommended (best practice):
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Email with e-signature (DocuSign / Adobe Sign)
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Ask tenants to confirm receipt in writing
If no response or unsure:
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Send via recorded / first class post
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OR hand deliver and obtain a signed receipt
Key Takeaway – Get a receipt
4. Keep evidence
You must be able to prove service. Keep:
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E-signature certificates
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Email confirmations
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Postal tracking / receipts
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Signed delivery acknowledgements
Key Takeaway – If you can’t prove it, you haven’t complied.
Penalties
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Expected fines: £4,000 – £7,000 per property
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Enforced by local councils across the East Midlands
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Risk increases where evidence is missing
EMPO Best Practices
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Send digitally first
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Get confirmation
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Chase non-responses
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Back up with physical delivery
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Keep a full audit trail
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If managed, check your managing agent’s process
Guidance For Letting Agents:
Your role as a managing agent
Ensure the notice is served correctly, provably, and on time across your managed portfolio.
What you must do
As you may be aware, the government have advised that landlords must provide their tenants with official guidance on the changes to their tenancy under the Renters’ Rights Act.
All landlords and letting agents must provide tenants with the official government Information Sheet by 31st May, 2026.
EMPO have provided guidance on how we suggest members may best stay compliant. Below is a best practice guide on how EMPO suggest letting agents serve this to tenants.
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This document, realised on 20th March, forms a mandatory part of the Renters’ Rights Act and failure to comply could resort in a fine of up to £7000.
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The information sheet must not be edited and sent in full by 31st May.
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You may wish to advise any Let Only or Rent Collection Only landlords of their obligations.
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This leaflet needs to be provided for all existing tenancies, not to any new tenancies after 1st May
Step by step guidance:
1. Prepare now
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Identify all active tenancies
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Check tenant contact details
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Confirm email service clauses in agreements
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Will you be also sending to guarantors?
2. Serve using a “belt & braces” approach
Step 1 – Primary method
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Send via e-signature platform (DocuSign etc.)
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Send to each named tenant individually
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Request written confirmation of receipt
Step 2 – Escalation (if no response)
If:
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Emails bounce
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Tenants don’t confirm
Then:
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Send via first class / recorded delivery
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And/or hand deliver with signed receipt
3. Evidence & tracking (critical)
Maintain:
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Delivery logs
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Signature confirmations
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Email audit trails
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Postal receipts
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Hand delivery records
If you cannot prove it – did you serve it? Consider evidence if a tenant reports to have not received a copy?
4. Communicate with landlords
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Confirm completion
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Provide evidence if needed
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Discuss any admin fees charged, due to scale of work
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Reassurance you are compliant.
5. Risk & penalties
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Fines: £4,000 – £7,000 per property
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Councils may target agents first – easy to identify and audit!
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Highest risk where:
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Not all tenants served
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No proof of service
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6. EMPO Operational Advice
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Use bulk e-signature tools
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Assign a tracking system / spreadsheet
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Prioritise high-risk or non-responsive tenants
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Allocate resource, this is a significant compliance task
Key Message for EMPO Members
Across the East Midlands, enforcement is expected to be strict but varied by council.
The safest approach is:
Digital service + tenant confirmation + physical backup + full evidence trail
View/Download the sheet here:
The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026
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