Landlords warned over proof of service risk

Landlords warned over proof of service risk

Landlord presenting document for signature highlighting compliance requirements and tenant acknowledgment
8:31 AM, 9th April 2026, 2 weeks ago 14

A new compliance tool has been launched as landlords face a 31 May deadline to prove tenants have received the Renters’ Rights Act information sheet.

Failing to give the tenant the relevant information would see the landlord being hit with a £7,000 fine per tenancy where receipt cannot be evidenced.

The document, published on 20 March, must go to tenants whose agreements began before 1 May 2026 and can be issued by post or email.

However, landlords are expected to demonstrate receipt to prove the tenant received the sheet.

Landlords need proof

The platform’s co-founder and chief executive, Aviram Shahar, said: “The requirement itself is straightforward, landlords need to provide the official information sheet to every tenant by 31st May, but the real issue is proving that it has actually been received.

“The burden of proof sits entirely with the landlord, and a standard email or proof of posting does not confirm that the document has been opened or read.”

He added: “What we are seeing is that this is less about sending a document and more about evidencing service in a way that stands up if challenged.

“That is where the risk sits, particularly for portfolio landlords where penalties apply per tenancy.”

Formal recording of receipt

Lendlord’s compliance tool is aimed at meeting the receipt requirement, combining document delivery, engagement tracking and audit trail functions within a single system.

At the centre of the update is an in-app acknowledgement feature prompting tenants to confirm they have read the information sheet before progressing.

Alongside that sits an e-signature function, capturing a formal record of receipt.

There is also a tenancy agreement generator, allowing landlords to produce solicitor-backed periodic agreements aligned with current statutory requirements.

Track information sheet progress

The platform has also introduced a dedicated workflow so landlords can send the document and track whether it has been opened and reviewed.

It also proves signed tenant confirmation within one dashboard.

The system is built around retaining verifiable records of delivery and engagement, particularly where service is later challenged.


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Comments

  • Member Since May 2014 - Comments: 620

    11:15 AM, 10th April 2026, About 2 weeks ago

    Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 09/04/2026 – 16:11
    I agree use belt and braces approach send same paperwork from 2 post offices with proof of posting from each.

  • Member Since May 2021 - Comments: 392

    3:42 PM, 10th April 2026, About 2 weeks ago

    Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 09/04/2026 – 16:09
    Not to worry, the Green party will sort that.

  • Member Since July 2016 - Comments: 156

    11:19 AM, 11th April 2026, About 2 weeks ago

    It really is very simple. The government guidance is clear. Emailing (or even texting) the PDF to each tenant is sufficient. You do not need even to get them to acknowledge though it would obviously be sensible to do so. You do NOT need to care less whether they bother to read the document. You cannot attach the link. You must attach the actual government PDF.

  • Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1178

    3:14 PM, 11th April 2026, About 2 weeks ago

    Reply to the comment left by Simon Williams at 11/04/2026 – 11:19
    Its not clear whether the document can be emailed to the tenant without their prior written consent, (which is often given in the tenancy agreement these days). The statement about being able to email the document is in the Govt guidance rather than the legislation, but in any case, the principle of needing tenants written consent for non standard service is already established.

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