bowson
Contact
Book a Valuation

The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet Is Out — Here’s What Newcastle Landlords Need to Do

The government published the official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 on 20 March 2026. For landlords in Newcastle and across England, that publication starts a compliance clock.

Landlords and their letting agents must legally give this document to tenants by 31 May 2026. It’s not optional, and the penalty for missing the deadline isn’t trivial, failure to comply could result in a fine of up to £7,000.

This article covers what you need to do, where to get the document, and — for anyone still getting to grips with the legislation — what the Renters’ Rights Act actually changes.

What You Need to Do Right Now

The official information sheet is the only valid document for this purpose, you must use the exact PDF found on the government website. You can download it here:

👉 The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 — GOV.UK

Once you have it:

  • The document can be served digitally or in hard copy, but keep proof of delivery. Attaching it as a PDF to an email is fine. Sending a link is not.
  • A copy must be given to every tenant named on the tenancy agreement.
  • If your property is managed by a letting agent, the agent must also provide the sheet — even if you’ve already done so.
  • If your tenant has no written agreement, the information sheet isn’t required, but you must instead provide a written statement of key tenancy terms by the same 31 May deadline.

Don’t leave this until the end of May. Get it sent now.

What the Renters’ Rights Act Actually Changes

For landlords who’ve been following the legislation closely, this will be familiar ground. For those who haven’t had chance to work through the detail, here’s a plain-language summary of the main changes that came into force on 1 May 2026.

Section 21 is gone

The most widely reported change. Valid Section 21 notices could be served until 30 April 2026. Any notices served before that date remain valid, but no new Section 21 notices can be issued. From this point, any possession claim must be made on specific grounds under Section 8.

This doesn’t mean landlords can’t regain possession of their properties. It means the process requires a reason, and that reason has to fit one of the defined grounds. For most landlords with good tenants and well-managed properties, this changes very little in practice.

Fixed-term tenancies are abolished

From 1 May 2026, fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies are abolished and replaced with Assured Periodic Tenancies. All tenancies are now rolling. There are no more fixed end dates.

Contractual rent review clauses are also abolished. Fixed uplifts, RPI-linked reviews, or other bespoke mechanisms written into tenancy agreements no longer apply. All rent increases must now follow the statutory Section 13 procedure.

Rent increases: once per year, Section 13 only

Rents can only be increased once per year and only after serving a Section 13 notice. The notice period gives tenants time to challenge the increase at the First-tier Tribunal if they believe it’s above market rate.

For landlords in Newcastle, this is worth planning ahead. If you’re thinking about a rent review, the Section 13 process needs to be followed to the letter. Done properly, it’s straightforward. Done incorrectly, the increase won’t stand.

The right to request a pet

From 1 May 2026, tenants have the right to request to keep a pet. Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse, and if they do refuse, they must do so in writing stating the reason. Each request must be considered on a case-by-case basis, and tenants can challenge a refusal in court.

This doesn’t mean every pet request must be approved. It means blanket refusals are no longer valid. A well-documented, case-by-case response is the right approach.

Student HMOs: Ground 4A

For landlords renting to full-time students, Ground 4A allows possession to be sought at the end of the academic year, with four months’ notice ending between 1 June and 30 September. This provides a route for landlords of purpose-let student accommodation to manage turnover in line with the academic calendar.

A Note on How We’re Approaching This

The Renters’ Rights Act is a significant piece of legislation. It changes the mechanics of how tenancies work, and it requires landlords to operate differently in several areas.

But it isn’t a crisis. The fundamentals of being a good landlord — maintaining your property, communicating clearly, treating tenants fairly, haven’t changed. What’s changed is the framework those things operate within.

At Bowson, we’ve been working through the implications of this legislation since it received Royal Assent last October. We’re not here to alarm you. We’re here to make sure you’re informed and compliant, and to take as much of the administrative load off your plate as we can.

If you have questions about how any of this applies to your properties in Newcastle — whether you’re in Heaton, Jesmond, High Heaton, or elsewhere across NE2, NE3, NE6, NE7 or NE12 — get in touch. We’ll give you a straight answer.

SPEAK TO THE TEAM

This article is for guidance purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Bowson Estate Agents does not provide regulated legal advice. If you require specific guidance on your circumstances, we recommend consulting a qualified solicitor.

Sources

Recent Posts