Tenancy Agreement - Assured Shorthold Tenancy

This document is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement which may be used for a residential* rented property based in England*.

A residential property is a property which is lived in, and which is not used for business purposes. A commercial lease should be used for non-residential lettings. We have commercial leases available for us in Scotland and in England and Wales.

This residential lease is designed for use in England only. We have different residential leases available for use in Northern Ireland and for use in Scotland. We are currently in the process of creating a document for use in Wales.

If the landlord wishes to remain within the property and have the tenant as a lodger, a different agreement should be used.

This tenancy agreement may be used for a fixed-term tenancy*, for a period of less than 3 years and where the annual rent between £250 a year (£1000 in London) and not more than £100,000 per year.

A fixed-term tenancy may convert to a periodic tenancy after the initial fixed term.

The document can be adapted to take account of numerous issues including company landlords, guarantors, break clauses, deed requirements and rent reviews.

Once completed our document will provide both tenants and landlords with an agreement which sets out the responsibilities and obligations of both parties to the lease.

How to use this document

This document should be provided to the landlord, guarantor and every tenant.

Once every party has had an opportunity to consider its contents carefully, and to have raised any queries, each should confirm that they understand the document and are willing to agree to it, by signing and dating the document. Where either the landlord or guarantor is a company, the agreement should be signed as a company. The agreement is designed for use where a director will sign the agreement on behalf of the company. Each party should then be provided with a signed copy of the agreement.

Please note that if the document is to include an inventory and schedule of condition should be completed and attached to the agreement before signing.

Relevant law

The Housing Act 1988

The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999, SI 1999/2083

Consumer Rights Act 2015

Tenant Fees Act 2019

The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985

Help from a lawyer

You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help.

The lawyer can answer your questions or help you through the process. You will be offered this option when you complete the document.

How to modify the template

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.