Property law experts at DCB Legal are warning unsuspecting landlords that they may face fines of up to £7,000 per tenant for not following instructions under the new property law.
Landlords in England must serve a mandatory information sheet to all existing tenants by May 31, 2026, which explains how the Renters’ Rights Act changes impact them under the new rules.
By failing to give each tenant a physical or digital copy of the government-issued information sheet, residential landlords could receive a fine of £7,000 per tenant. The Information Sheet is available online and was released on 20 March 2026, as the property law comes into play in several phases beginning from December 2025.
The Renters’ Rights Act was given Royal Assent in October 2025 and comes into force on 1 May 2026. Research shows that just 7% of landlords feel ‘fully prepared’ for the Renters’ Rights Act rule changes. Data also found that the majority of renters have either not heard of the Renters’ Rights Act or do not understand what it means for them either, highlighting a lack of awareness on both sides of the tenancy agreement.
Katy Long, Head of Property Litigation at DCB Legal, said: “Many private landlords are braced for the major changes arriving in May 2026, but as with any law change, there is always a proportion of people who miss the announcement.
“The 31 May deadline for issuing the information sheet is looming, and while it’s a simple action, those who fall foul of the new rules could pay a heavy price for not following instructions. Landlords should get their affairs in order as soon as possible in order to avoid unpleasant and expensive surprises.
“While it is not known if authorities will choose to use their new powers to investigate whether a private landlord has broken laws immediately, landlords should be prepared for any potential questioning and make sure documentation relating to recent tenancies is easy to access. Should you be contacted by the authorities and asked to provide documentation, legal support is also available.”
Changes to the way landlords operate, including the abolition of Section 21 no-fault evictions and the end of fixed-term tenancies to rolling term agreements, will take effect from 1 May 2026. The new law also means rules around increasing rents, changes to fixed terms, ending a tenancy, student lets and keeping a pet will change.
Katy Long, continued: “Landlords who are prepared for the changes are likely to face the least disruption. Those who don’t have their documentation, records and safety certificates in order could face a costly bill.”
To find out more about how DCB Legal can help landlords and tenants following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, contact us.
