F&F LLP UKRE Team – The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026

The Government has issued an Information Sheet explaining how tenants may be affected by the changes introduced under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. This document must be provided by private landlords and letting agents in England, and the following summary outlines the key requirements.

The Information Sheet is an official government publication intended for tenants, setting out how their tenancy could change under the new legislation and forms part of the compliance obligations for landlords and their agents.

Where a landlord has appointed a letting agent to manage the property, the agent is responsible for giving the Information Sheet to the tenant, even if the landlord has already done so.

Landlords and agents must provide the Information Sheet where the tenancy meets all of the following conditions:

• It is an assured or assured shorthold tenancy
• It was created before 1 May 2026
• It has a written or partly written record of, including a written tenancy agreement

The Information Sheet must be given to tenants no later than 31 May 2026. Failure to comply may result in a civil penalty of up to £7,000. The requirement does not apply to lodgers.

A copy must be provided to every individual named on the tenancy agreement. The Information Sheet is only valid when downloaded directly from the official government page, and landlords must supply the exact PDF published there.

The document may be provided in one of two ways:

• By giving or posting a printed hard copy to the tenants
• By sending the PDF as an attachment via email or text message

Sending a link to the PDF is not acceptable and will not meet the legal requirement.

The legislation does not require landlords to amend or reissue any existing tenancy agreement. However, where a tenancy is based entirely on a verbal agreement made before 1 May 2026, the Information Sheet cannot be used.

In such cases, landlords must instead provide written information covering the key terms of the tenancy.

Further guidance is available on GOV.UK: Tenancy agreements, written information for your tenant

This guidance was published by the Government on 20 March 2026 and there is a very limited timeframe to issue the Information Sheet before the 31 May deadline, particularly with Easter and the spring bank holidays reducing the number of working days available.

Agents should therefore be preparing now to ensure timely compliance and avoid last‑minute difficulties. It is also important that agents proactively communicate this requirement to their landlord clients.

Although the legal duty ultimately rests with the landlord, a failure to clearly agree who is responsible for serving the document could result in avoidable disputes, complaints or potential penalties.

The official PDF Information Sheet can be accessed here: The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026

If you require further information or legal advice, including conveyancing services in England, please contact our dedicated UKRE team: Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour and Hannah Damant, who will be pleased to assist.

Published today, 25 March 2026, HM Land Registry has released the UK House Price Index for January 2026, providing the latest insight into residential property trends across the UK.

The January data shows that average house prices have fallen by 0.3% since December 2025. Annual price growth stands at 1.3%, bringing the average UK property value to £268,000.

In England, average house prices fell by 0.2% since December 2025. The annual price rise of 1.1% takes the average property value to £290,000.

Regional highlights include:

• London recorded the strongest monthly rise at 0.8%
• The North East saw the sharpest monthly fall at -2.8%
• The North West leads annual growth at 3.1%
• London shows the lowest annual performance at -1.7%

London shows an average monthly price fall of 0.8% since December 2025. House prices have decreased annually by 1.7%, bringing the average property value to £554,000.

Wales shows an average monthly price fall of 1.7% since December 2025. An annual price increase of 2% takes the average property value to £210,00.

For more details, please visit the official report: UK House Price Index January 2026

If you require further information or legal advice, including conveyancing services in England, please contact our dedicated UKRE team: Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour and Hannah Damant, who will be pleased to assist.

Unsurprisingly, due to the ongoing events in the Middle East, the Bank of England has kept interest rates at their current level of 3.75%.

Although there had been hopes of a fall in interest rates earlier this year (due to falling inflation), that view is no longer held.

Mortgages, in consequence, are unlikely to be cheaper in the short term, and the 3.75% hold suggests a cautious approach by the Bank, to see how global macroeconomics play out.

It is likely that energy prices will raise this year also, so the economic position is to expect some turbulence ahead, and potentially higher interest rates and upwards inflationary pressure.

For any UK Real Estate matters please contact Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour or Hannah Damant.

The Chancellor has delivered the UK Spring Budget 2026, setting out fiscal priorities for the year ahead and signalling several policy shifts relevant to real estate investors, developers and occupiers. Early analysis highlights a continued focus on economic stability, targeted growth incentives and measures aimed at supporting housing supply and infrastructure delivery.

Whilst the fiscal impacts to the UK of events in the Middle East are not yet known, with some experts suggesting higher fuel prices will impact interest rates, time will no doubt tell. Notwithstanding this, we have set out below some of the key highlights of the speech.

Budget Overview

Housing and planning policy remains a central theme, with new funding commitments for affordable housing and brownfield regeneration, alongside further planning system reforms intended to accelerate approvals and reduce administrative delays. Property‑related tax measures feature again this year, including adjustments to capital allowances and potential changes to SDLT thresholds aimed at stimulating market activity. Infrastructure investment continues to be prioritised, with expanded support for transport, energy and digital projects designed to drive regional growth and long‑term productivity. The wider business environment is also addressed through measures supporting SMEs and inward investment, particularly in areas linked to innovation, sustainability and green construction.

Spring Forecast and Mortgage Market Implications

The Spring Forecast confirms that lower interest rates are expected to reduce borrowing costs, with households projected to save over £1,300 per year on a typical new fixed‑rate mortgage, based on an advance of £215,000 over 29 years with a two‑year fixed rate. This represents a significant shift for buyers entering the market or refinancing in 2026.

The broader economic picture is equally relevant for the mortgage market. Falling inflation and a more stable fiscal outlook help anchor interest rate expectations, which directly influence how lenders price fixed‑rate and tracker products. As swap rates and funding costs ease, lenders gain greater confidence in offering more competitive deals. For borrowers, this translates into improved affordability calculations, potentially increased loan eligibility and reduced monthly repayments.

For the market more broadly, it supports transaction levels and buyer confidence after a period of volatility. Even without housing‑specific announcements, the economic direction set out in the Spring Forecast has tangible implications for mortgage pricing, refinancing decisions and overall household finances.

Sector Outlook

Taken together, the Budget and the Spring Forecast reinforce the government’s intention to balance fiscal discipline with targeted growth. For the property market, the combination of planning reforms, infrastructure investment and easing financial conditions may create new opportunities, particularly in regeneration, energy‑efficient development and strategic land.

For any legal advice relating to UK Real Estate, please contact Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour or Hannah Damant.

HM Land Registry has released the UK House Price Index for December 2025, published on 18 February 2026. The latest figures show that average UK house prices fell by 0.7% between November and December 2025, while annual growth stood at 2.4%, bringing the average property value to £270,000.

In England, average prices also fell by 0.7% over the month. Annual growth reached 1.7%, resulting in an average property value of £292,000. Regionally, the East Midlands recorded the strongest monthly increase at 0.4%, while the South West experienced the largest monthly decline at 1.7%. The North East saw the highest annual growth at 4.6%, whereas London recorded the lowest annual movement at minus 1%.

London’s market showed a monthly fall of 0.8% and an annual decrease of 1%, with the average property now valued at £551,000.

In Wales, average prices rose by 2.6% over the month and by 5% annually, taking the average property value to £215,000. Four repossession sales were recorded in October 2025.

For more details please see: UK House Price Index for December 2025.

For further information or legal advice, including conveyancing services in England and Wales, please contact our UKRE team: Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour, and Hannah Damant who are here to help.

The UK Government has today announced a landmark proposal to cap ground rents at £250 per annum, bringing to an end a regime of uncapped ground rents previously.

Commentary suggests this will offer long‑awaited relief to around one million leaseholders across England and Wales. What is not certain though is whether freeholders whose interests will be affected may bring legal claims against the Government for this proposed change.

This reform, part of the upcoming Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, represents one of the most significant shifts in property law for decades.

By limiting ground rents, the Government aims to modernise a system long criticised by some for its complexity and imbalance.

For leaseholders, this means greater financial certainty. For investors and property professionals, it signals a changing landscape—one that will reshape valuations, portfolios, and long‑term strategies.

The Government remains committed to promoting a form of legal ownership called ‘Commonhold’ and which will be the subject of future F&F commentary.

For any legal advice relating to UK Real Estate, please contact Alastair Hargreaves, Anna Douglass, Caren Vidamour or Hannah Damant.

The UK House Price Index for November 2025 has been published by HM Land Registry on 21 January 2026.

The latest data shows that monthly UK house prices rose by 0.3% since October 2025. Over the year, there has been an annual price rise of 2.5%, bringing the average property value in the UK to £271,000.

In England, house prices rose on average by 0.4% since October 2025. The annual price rise of 2.2% takes the average property value to £293,000. Regional data indicates that the North East experienced the most significant monthly increase with a movement of 1.8%, while the South East saw the largest monthly fall at -0.8%. The North East also recorded the greatest annual price rise, up by 6.8%, whereas London saw the lowest annual price growth with a decrease of 1.2%.

London’s figures show an annual price decrease of 1.2%, taking the average property value to £553,000. However, monthly house prices in London rose by 1.3% since October 2025.

In Wales, house prices fell on average by 0.6% since October 2025. An annual price increase of 0.7% takes the average property value to £209,000.

For more information see: UK House Price Index for November 2025 – GOV.UK

If you require further information or legal advice, including conveyancing services in England and Wales, please contact our dedicated UKRE team: Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour, and Hannah Damant. We are here to help.

The Bank of England has today reduced the base interest rate to 3.75%, signalling a continued easing of monetary policy.

The cut is expected to support real estate financing, investment sentiment and transactional activity, particularly for variable-rate borrowers and yield-sensitive assets.

Our UK Real Estate team will continue to monitor the impact across lending, investment and development markets.

If you require legal guidance or conveyancing services across England and Wales, please contact our UKRE Team: Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour, and Hannah Damant. We are here to assist.

The UK House Price Index, published by HM Land Registry on 17 December 2025, provides insight into house price movements across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The October data shows that, on average, UK house prices fell by 0.1% since September 2025. Despite this monthly dip, there has been an annual price rise of 1.7%, bringing the average UK property value to £270,000.

In England, average house prices also fell by 0.1% month on month. Annual growth stands at 1.4%, taking the average property value to £292,000.

Regional data for England highlights notable variation. The North East experienced the most significant monthly increase, with prices rising by 1.3%. London recorded the largest monthly fall, with prices decreasing by 1.9%.

On an annual basis, the North East saw the strongest growth at 5%, while London experienced the lowest annual performance, with prices down by 2.4%.

For full details, please refer to: UK House Price Index for October 2025 – GOV.UK

If you require legal guidance or conveyancing services across England and Wales, please contact F&F LLP’s UKRE Team: Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour and Hannah Damant. We are always happy to assist.

A Festive Message from F&F LLP’s UKRE Team

As we approach the festive season, we would like to extend our warmest Christmas wishes to all our valued clients and intermediaries. Thank you for your continued trust, collaboration and support throughout the year, it is truly appreciated. We look forward to working with you in the year ahead and wish you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2026.

A new post, “How HM Land Registry works to protect property owners”, was published earlier this week on the HM Land Registry blog.

An understanding and awareness of property and title fraud, and how to guard against them, is critical in supporting our frontline defences as well as the wider public and business sectors.

This is not just important during the 25th anniversary of International Fraud Awareness Week, but at all times.

Read the new post here: How HM land registry works to protect property owners

If you require legal guidance or conveyancing services across England and Wales, please contact our UKRE Team: Anna Douglass, Alastair Hargreaves, Caren Vidamour, and Hannah Damant. We are here to assist.