Tenancy agreements: a guide for landlords

Overview

A tenancy agreement is a contract between you and your tenant.

Tenancy agreements on the GOV.UK site.

Tenancy types

Assured Shorthold Tenancy

This is the most common form of private tenancy.

Features of an assured shorthold tenancy:

  • you don't live in the property
  • the tenancy began on or after 15 January 1989
  • it is not a business or holiday let
  • if you do not wish to continue to rent out the property at the end of the contract, you will be entitled to repossession in the County Court.

Also see:

Resident landlord tenancy

This is where you live in the same property as the tenant.

Features of a resident landlord tenancy

  • you have occupied the property for the duration of the tenancy.
  • the property is your principal home.

Also see:

Regulated tenancies

This is where a tenancy began before 15 January 1989.

Features of a regulated tenancy:

  • you cannot evict the tenant unless you get a possession order from the courts
  • if the tenant dies his or her spouse will normally take over the regulated tenancy
  • you or the tenant can apply to the rent officer for a fair rent to be registered
  • once a rent is registered it is the maximum you can charge until it is reviewed or cancelled

Also see:

Joint tenancies

This is where two or more people agree to take on one tenancy. Popular amongst friends as opposed to partners.

Features of a joint tenancy:

  • there is always one tenancy, one rent and one deposit. the group of people are effectively acting together to be the tenant.
  • the group take joint responsibility for ensuring that all obligations relating to the tenancy are met, including payment of rent and damages

Further guidance

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