The government's How to Rent guide has been updated for May 2026 to reflect changes under the Renters' Rights Act 2025. Landlords must provide the latest version to new tenants at the start of a tenancy — using an old version is a prescribed information failure.
How to Rent guide updated — you must use the May 2026 version
The government's How to Rent: The checklist for renting in England guide has been updated to reflect the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes that came into force on 1 May 2026. All landlords in England are legally required to provide the current version of this guide to tenants at the start of a tenancy.
Using an out-of-date version of the guide is a prescribed information failure. This means a Section 21 notice — while still valid for notices served before 30 September 2026 — cannot be served if the correct version of the guide was not provided. Under the post-October 2026 regime, a prescribed information failure may affect the validity of a Section 8 claim.
What changed in the May 2026 version
The updated guide reflects:
- The abolition of fixed-term assured shorthold tenancies
- The new periodic tenancy structure
- The tenant's right to end a tenancy with two months' written notice
- The landlord's obligation to use Section 8 grounds for possession
- The new rent increase procedure under Section 13 (two months' notice, once per 12 months)
- The tenant's right to request a pet
- Anti-discrimination protections (children, benefit recipients)
- The PRS Database — landlords will be required to register when the database launches
- Contact details for the PRS Landlord Ombudsman (when launched)
Where to find it
The current version is available at: gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-rent
Always download a fresh copy immediately before issuing it to a new tenant. Do not use a saved or printed copy from a previous tenancy — the guide changes without warning and the cover page version date is the only reliable indicator.
When you must provide it
- At the start of every new tenancy
- When a new version is released, to existing tenants (by email or post is acceptable if the tenant has agreed to electronic service)
- On re-letting a property, even to the same tenant
Record keeping
Keep a record of when the guide was provided, to which tenant, and which version was used. Email delivery with the PDF attached is the most straightforward method of creating a verifiable record.
Landlord Insights — landlordinsights.co.uk — Sourced from gov.uk. Not legal advice.
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always verify information against the original source and seek independent professional guidance before acting on any regulatory matter.