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.
Also, written agreements will be mandatory once the Renters Rights Bill comes into force.
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 access 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.
Articles
- Electronic Signatures for tenancies – looking at the law
- Letting to Tenants with Pets
- Letting to Tenants with Pets
- Lodgers in rented properties
- Preparing a Tenancy Agreement
- Preparing a Tenancy Agreement
- Tenancies without Tenancy Agreements
- Tenancies without Tenancy Agreements
- Unfair Terms in Tenancy Agreements
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.
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.
We recommend you incorporate our Procedures into your tenancy agreement.
Video
- David Cox’s talk on the Tenant Fees Act 2019
- Household Members in Tenancy Agreements
- Landlord Law Essentials Part 10 – Tenancy Agreements (1)
- Landlord Law Essentials Part 11 – Tenancy Agreements (2)
- Section 48 Notices
- Training Webinars – The Landlord Law Tenancy Agreements
- Training Webinars – Unfair Terms in Residential Tenancy Agreements – with Justin Bates KC
Changing tenants?
If one of joint tenants wants to move out mid term:
