Tenancy Agreements

Although it is possible to create a legal tenancy without a tenancy agreement, this is most unwise. Landlords need to have a properly drafted written tenancy agreement signed before tenants are given the keys and allowed into occupation. This will protect both landlords and tenants.

Plus, written agreements are now mandatory under the Renters Rights Act. Landlords who fail to provide tenants with a compliant document can be fined up to £7,000.

In this section, we take a look at tenancy agreements – what they are and how they work, plus you will find links to where you can go to generate one of our many tenancy agreement forms.

There is also information about amending tenancy agreements with links to our various forms to renew or amend your tenancy agreement (for example, by allowing your tenant to keep a pet).

Rented Property in Wales

Note that housing law has changed in Wales with effect from 1 December 2022.

See the Wales page to find out more.

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Existing tenancies as at 1 May 2026

All landlords of existing assured and assured shorthold tenancies (i.e., created before 1 May 2026, including new tenancies), must serve the government’s information form on tenants before 31 May 2026.

The form has now been published and can be downloaded from here.

It is important that you are able to prove that the form has been served on your tenants or you can be fined up to £7,000 by your local authority. For existing tenancies we suggest you serve it personally on your tenants (e.g., during an inspection visit) and get them to sign and date a copy of the form. If there are joint tenants, it must be served on all of them.

See our FAQ for more information.

Note – this form must be served for all tenancies signed before 1 May 2026, even if you are using a RRA compliant APT.

Letting agents – if you are managing the property, you need to serve the form even if it has already been served by your landlord.

Top Tips

Top Tips for landlords on tenancy agreements

Create a Tenancy Agreement

Find guidance and links to the forms here

The Tenancy Agreement draft additional clauses are here

See the additional forms here

Guidance on house rules is here

We recommend you incorporate our Procedures into your tenancy agreement.