A written tenancy agreement makes things clear between you and your tenants. But which type of agreement is right for you? We run through some of the main options for UK landlords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big changes are also on the horizon for landlords in England. From 1 May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act will completely change how tenancies work. Our guide will help you get to grips with the different types of tenancy so you can pick the right one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A tenancy agreement is a document that sets out the terms of a tenancy. When you rent out a property, having a written agreement is a great way to make sure the conditions are clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’re new to being a landlord, choosing the right agreement can be confusing. Laws also differ depending on where your property is in the UK.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
These are some of the types of tenancy you may come across in England:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most common form of tenancy in England is currently the assured shorthold tenancy \u2013 which will be abolished from 1 May 2026. But we\u2019ll run through each tenancy type so you can understand the differences \u2013 and prepare for the upcoming law changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right now, most tenancies in England are automatically assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs). To use an AST, the property must be private, it must be the tenant\u2019s main home, and you cannot live in the property.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use an AST even if you rent individual rooms to tenants who share facilities. But you can’t use an AST if you charge over \u00a3100,000 a year in rent, if you charge no rent, or if it\u2019s a holiday let.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most AST agreements have an initial fixed term of six or 12 months. You must protect the tenant\u2019s deposit in a government-approved deposit protection scheme<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first phase of the Renter\u2019s Rights Act is in effect in England from 1 May 2026, bringing with it an end to fixed-term ASTs and Section 21 ‘no-fault’ evictions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, all tenancies will automatically become assured periodic tenancies<\/a>. This means tenants can stay in their home until they decide to leave, or until you use a valid Section 8 ground to evict them. You\u2019ll also be limited on how often you can raise the rent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more: <\/strong>Tenancy agreements changes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n You can only use this type of tenancy in situations where an AST or assured periodic tenancy doesn’t apply. This might be because the rent is less than \u00a3250 a year, the tenant has their main home elsewhere, or you live in the same property as your tenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because this isn\u2019t an assured periodic tenancy, you don\u2019t have to put the deposit into a government-backed scheme. You also don\u2019t have to give a Section 8 notice<\/a> to end the tenancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the tenant still has the right to stay in the property until the end of the fixed term. This applies as long as they follow the rules of the tenancy agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you live in the property with your tenant and share facilities, this usually counts as an excluded tenancy. Having a lodger in your home is a common example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Excluded tenancies don\u2019t give the tenant as many protections as an assured periodic tenancy. You don\u2019t need to protect your tenant\u2019s deposit in a government-approved scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also usually evict the tenant without a court order and without giving four weeks\u2019 notice. You just need to make sure you stick to the terms of your agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more:<\/strong> What is the rent a room scheme?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re just beginning to rent out your property, you\u2019re unlikely to use this type of tenancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assured tenancies were more common in the past. Tenancies that began between 1989 and 1997 might be assured tenancies, and they give tenants long-term rights to stay in the property. Housing associations often use them to rent out homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is another agreement that you\u2019re unlikely to use today. It was a long-term tenancy used before 1989.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tenants on a regulated tenancy are entitled to a fair rent. The Valuation Office Agency is responsible for setting this rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you rent your property to a company rather than a person, the tenancy isn\u2019t an AST. Company let tenancy agreements aren\u2019t governed by the same rules for deposit protection and eviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead of serving a Section 8 notice, you can give a \u2018notice to quit\u2019 to end the tenancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a company let, make sure you read more about how business tenancies differ from residential ones in our guide to the 1954 Landlord and Tenant Act<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How to end a tenancy depends on the type of tenancy agreement you have in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have guides on how the Renters’ Rights Act affects the eviction process when Section 21 notices are scrapped<\/a> from 1 May 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read our end of tenancy checklist<\/a> to see what landlords need to do when a tenant is moving out. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n If your property is in Wales, you don’t use ASTs. Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act, all agreements are now called ‘occupation contracts’.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tenants are known as ‘contract-holders’. The standard occupation contract is the most common type used by private landlords in Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must give your contract-holders a written statement setting out the terms of their contract within 14 days of them moving in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scotland also operates under a different system. If you rent out a property in Scotland, you\u2019ll use a private residential tenancy (PRT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRTs are open-ended, which means they don’t have a fixed term. A tenancy lasts until the tenant gives notice to leave, or you use one of the 18 specific grounds for eviction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must provide your tenant with written terms and a specific set of statutory notes that explain their rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Northern Ireland, private rentals are governed by the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022. You\u2019ll typically use a standard tenancy agreement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Landlords in Northern Ireland must follow strict rules around notice periods, which depend on how long the tenant has lived in the property. You also have a legal duty to provide a rent receipt if your tenant pays in cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A periodic tenancy is a rolling contract without a fixed end date. The periodic tenancy notice is usually as long as one rental period, such as one month. But this varies depending on where in the UK you\u2019re rental property is located.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This currently happens in England when a previous AST comes to an end and you haven\u2019t agreed a new fixed term. But from 1 May 2026, the Renters\u2019 Rights Act will make assured periodic tenancies the standard for all private rentals in England. Under the new rules, tenants will have to give two month\u2019s notice if they want to end their tenancy. All existing ASTs will automatically become assured periodic tenancies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about rent review clauses and how to increase rent<\/a> in our guide. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We also have a guide on the RRA information sheet to give to tenants in England<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n A fixed-term tenancy agreement lasts for an agreed amount of time. Tenants can\u2019t move out early unless there\u2019s a break clause in your agreement, or you agree to end the tenancy early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, the government is abolishing fixed-term tenancies in England from 1 May 2026. After this date, you\u2019ll only be able to offer rolling periodic tenancies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some fixed-term tenancy agreements include a break clause. A break clause is a set date in the agreement where you or the tenant can end the tenancy early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a break clause in a 12-month agreement might say it\u2019s possible to end a tenancy after six months. The tenant would usually need to give one month\u2019s notice, while the landlord might need to give two months\u2019 notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As fixed-term tenancies are being phased out in England in 2026, break clauses will soon become a thing of the past for English landlords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The information given in this article isn\u2019t legal advice. If you need help with your buy-to-let property and your tenancy agreement, you should get guidance from a legal professional.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Over 200,000 UK landlord policies, a 9\/10 customer rating and claims handled by an award-winning team. Looking to switch or start a new policy? Run a quick landlord insurance quote<\/a> today.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is changing on 1 May 2026?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Non-assured shorthold tenancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Excluded tenancy agreement (for lodgers)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Assured tenancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Regulated tenancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Company let<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How to end a tenancy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tenancy agreements in Wales<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tenancy agreements in Scotland<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tenancy agreements in Northern Ireland<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a periodic tenancy?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a fixed-term tenancy agreement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is a break clause in a tenancy agreement?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
More useful articles for landlords<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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