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Guide for private landlords - 2. Tenancy types and agreements
Current law:
Most tenancies in England are Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) - either fixed-term or periodic (rolling).
You must give tenants a written tenancy agreement, outlining:
- rent amount and payment dates
- notice periods
- repair responsibilities
- rules on pets and sub-letting
The upcoming legislation proposes replacing ASTs with open-ended periodic tenancies, so:
- tenancies continue indefinitely until ended properly
- landlords can only end a tenancy using specific legal grounds
- tenants can leave with two months’ notice
This is designed to give tenants more flexibility while allowing landlords legitimate possession routes.
