I have read there is information leaflet on Gov website supposed to be sent to renters soon.. I was wondering how are landlords sending it via email or post.
If it’s sent as email , it’s needs to be a pdf format and not a link
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Here’s a service that will send snail mail from any document you supply.
Will do regular 1st/2nd class, signed for and special delivery. For those that want a (slightly) easier life, or where email might be an issue.
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I just get my people to do it for me. Don’t you have people?
Thanks. It looks like the Tenancy agreement should have word Email in it.
My tenant contracts have been dont through Open Rent.I haven’t received any notification from Open Rent yet.
This is aimed at people who don’t have people, believe it or not there’s quite a few that don’t.
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Well that’s an interesting point. Neither Para 7 of Schedule 6 of the RRA nor the Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026 mention electronic communication. However, the official Gov’t guidance for the information sheet does say that it can be served electronically and makes no mention of whether the tenant consents to receive it as such. I’m not sure what to make of all this, given that its only the guidance that mentions electronic communication, but to be safe, I think its probably best to ensure that the tenant has signed something to say that they are willing to receive documents electronically and the specific addresses that can be used.
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Erm, the standard OR AST already covers that the tenant agrees to receive notices by email - extract below
“13.3. The Landlord and the Tenant agree that notices and other documents pursuant to this agreement may be served on the other party by email. The email addresses for notice are:
Landlord: (Notice email visible once signed)
Tenant: (Notice email visible once all tenants have signed)
13.4 The Tenant agrees that notices and other documents pursuant to this agreement may be served at the tenants registered email address with OpenRent which may be updated by the Tenant from time to time.
13.5. Notice served by email shall be deemed sufficiently served if it is sent to the Tenant or the Landlord at the email addresses identified above or as provided in accordance with 13.4 of this agreement
Best
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I had no doubt of that and I’m sure all trusted contemporary TA’s have a similar clause, but electronic communication goes further than just email, and Ive already read one post from someone who’s used WhatsApp.
@David122 yes there’s nrla guidance as follows which indicates an attachment to whatapp will be fine
“You must also make sure you give your tenants the exact PDF found on the page, by either:
-
Printing a hard copy, which can be posted or given to the tenants by hand.
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Sending the PDF electronically as an attachment, for example, to an email or text message, provided the tenant responds to confirm receipt or you have an appropriate worded clause in your tenancy agreement which allows electronic service.
You must not email or text a link to the PDF to the tenant, as this will not be valid.”
[‘Renters’ Rights Act: Tenant information sheet published’]
@ona1 i sent as an attachment to my normal whatapp chat with tenants but also then as a formal email - partly because whatsapp messages can disappear after a while [tho you do get the ‘read’ tick, and partly because i use email for formal comms with them as it can be organised more easily into topics etc [whatapp also gets used for ad hoc stuff like telling me when they will be away etc]. If any dont reply i will also take hard copies with for my next inspection visit[s] to give in person, if needed.
Best
Yes, but whilst tenancy agreements usually allow email service, I’m not sure many include the right to serve by text message, but as you say, Ona is covered.
Anyway, its hopefully unlikely that a Council would seek to use a civil penalty against a landlord for service by text when the tenancy agreement doesn’t consent to it. Isn’t it?
The official page doesn’t say anything about tenants needing to agree how it is served and specifically does say how it wouldn’t be valid
“You must provide this to the tenants by either:
-
printing a hard copy, which is posted or given to the tenants by hand
-
sending the PDF electronically as an attachment, for example, to an email or text message’
You must not email or text a link to the PDF to the tenant, as this will not be valid.
The legislation does not require you to change or re-issue any existing written tenancy agreement. “
[The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026]
Also (according to propertymark ‘Official Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet is published ‘ )
“Letting agents carry the responsibility
Where a letting agent manages a property, they are legally responsible for issuing the Information Sheet, even if the landlord has already done so or intends to do so.”
So..In this case as part of ‘RentNow’ OR will serve notices (such as s13) for landlords so do count as a letting agent and so are responsible I ‘think’
Best
Well as Ive said before, guidance is not the same as legislation. Official guidance is often used to interpret unclear legislation, but Im not sure what a judge would make of a tenants complaint.
Interestingly it seems the N R L A may agree:
- Sending the PDF electronically as an attachment, for example, to an email or text message, provided the tenant responds to confirm receipt or you have an appropriate worded clause in your tenancy agreement which allows electronic service.
I think other advisors have said the same
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hmmm… interesting…
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Yes, the advice given by N R L A matches that discussed on the other post. No need for an acknowledgement of receipt from tenant where an email address approved for service is stated in contract.
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Taking a sledgehammer to a nut here. Send it by e mail and ask for confirmation its been received job done
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But what do you do if you then dont receive an acknowledgement?
Then you chase up: resend/post with proof posting/ pop round hand over or leave letter with picture, all the simple and standard stuff
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