Cheadle Landlords Face £7,000 Fines If They Miss This New Legal Requirement

Many landlords are focused on the bigger headlines surrounding the Renters’ Rights Act, but one of the most immediate legal obligations arriving this spring is surprisingly simple — and potentially very costly if ignored.

The new legislation requires landlords and letting agents to provide tenants with an official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet explaining the changes to the private rented sector before the 31st May 2026. 

Failing to provide this document could expose landlords to financial penalties of up to £7,000.

For many landlords, particularly those managing properties themselves, this requirement could easily be overlooked.

Who must receive the information sheet?

The document must be provided to existing tenants in the private rented sector who are renting under an assured or assured shorthold tenancy before the reforms take effect.

If tenants do not already have written confirmation of their tenancy terms, landlords must also ensure that information is provided before 31 May 2026.

What the new document explains to tenants

The information sheet outlines several major changes coming to the private rented sector.

1. Fixed-term tenancies will disappear

Under the new system, Assured Shorthold Tenancies will be abolished.

Instead, all tenancies will automatically become rolling periodic tenancies with no fixed end date.

Tenancies will only end if:

• the tenant gives notice
• both parties agree to end the tenancy
• the landlord has a valid legal reason to regain possession

2. Rent increases will be restricted

Landlords will no longer be able to rely on rent review clauses written into tenancy agreements.

Instead, rent increases must follow a formal Section 13 process, meaning:

• rent can only increase once per year
• tenants must receive two months written notice
• increases must reflect open market rent

Tenants will also be able to challenge increases through the First-tier Tribunal if they believe the new rent is too high.

3. Section 21 evictions will be abolished

From May 2026, landlords will no longer be able to end a tenancy without a legal reason.

Instead, possession will require a Section 8 notice citing specific legal grounds, such as:

• rent arrears
• antisocial behaviour
• damage or neglect of the property

Some grounds — such as selling the property or moving family members in , cannot be used within the first 12 months of a tenancy.

4. Tenants will gain stronger rights regarding pets

Tenants will have the right to request permission to keep a pet, and landlords cannot refuse without reasonable justification.

Why this matters for landlords right now

Many of these changes will evolve over the coming months, but the information sheet requirement is immediate and enforceable.

Landlords who fail to provide it could face significant penalties.

For landlords managing their properties themselves, keeping up with these legal changes is becoming increasingly difficult — and expensive mistakes can happen very quickly.

How we help landlords stay compliant

At Maurice Kilbride Residential Sales & Lettings, we ensure every property we manage stays fully compliant with the latest legislation.

From tenant onboarding and legal documentation to ongoing regulatory updates, our role is to ensure landlords never fall foul of the ever-changing rules of the private rented sector.

Because in today’s market, letting property successfully requires far more than simply finding a tenant.

If you would like advice about how these new rules affect your property, feel free to contact Joe, Patrick or Maurice on 0161 428 3663, e-mail lettings@mkiea.co.uk or why not pop into our prominent High Street office in Cheadle for a chat. 

Frequently Asked Questions for Landlords

Do landlords have to provide the Renters’ Rights Act information sheet?

Yes. Landlords must provide tenants with the official Renters’ Rights Act information sheet explaining the new tenancy rules. This applies to tenants already living in a property before 1 May 2026.

What happens if landlords fail to provide the information sheet?

Local authorities can issue financial penalties of up to £7,000 if landlords fail to comply with the new legal requirement.

When must landlords give tenants the information sheet?

Landlords must provide the document before 31 May 2026 for existing tenancies in the private rented sector.

What changes does the Renters’ Rights Act introduce?

The new legislation introduces major changes including:

• the end of fixed-term tenancies
• abolition of Section 21 evictions
• restrictions on rent increases
• stronger tenant rights around keeping pets

Do these rules apply to all landlords?

The rules apply to private landlords renting under assured or assured shorthold tenancies.