The May 2026 edition of the How to Rent guide has been published. Landlords in England must serve this version with all new assured shorthold tenancies from the publication date.
The government has published an updated edition of the How to Rent guide, effective 1 May 2026. The primary revision is updated wording in the section on damp and mould, reflecting Awaab's Law obligations and the landlord's duty to investigate and remedy damp within defined timeframes.
Landlords in England are legally required to serve the current version of the How to Rent guide at the start of every new assured shorthold tenancy. Serving an outdated version is a prescribed information failure that can invalidate a Section 21 notice (during the remaining transitional period) and may attract a penalty.
Landlords and letting agents should immediately update their tenancy pack to include the May 2026 edition. The guide is available to download from GOV.UK. Previous editions should be archived; they must not be served with new tenancies.
Action required
Update your tenancy pack to include the May 2026 edition immediately. Do not serve previous editions with new tenancies.
Effective
1 May 2026 · England only
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.