Renting a property isn't always the same for every tenancy. As a landlord, you might run into different kinds of tenancy agreements, like short-term and regulated.
If you're already a landlord, you're probably quite familiar with tenancy agreements. But if you're thinking of becoming a landlord or just getting started, our guide explains what they are and how they work.
What's a tenancy agreement?
Tenancy agreements are contracts signed by landlords and tenants. They outline both of your rights and responsibilities. Plus, all the details of the rental agreement, including:
- the main details of the landlord, tenants and the rental property
- how long the tenants will be renting the property for
- how much the rent and security deposit will be
- the general rules of the tenancy, like property maintenance
- notice periods and eviction terms
Before a tenant moves into a property, it's super important to get them to sign a tenancy agreement. This protects both you and the tenant legally and helps you both understand your rights and responsibilities.
If you're letting properties through an agent, they can pull together a tenancy agreement for you.
What's the Renters Rights Act?
The Renters Rights Act (previously known as the Renters Reform Bill) is a set of laws around renting properties in England. It aims to improve and standardise the private renting system.
The Renters Rights Act includes changes to:
- eviction rules
- notice periods
- types of valid tenancy agreements
- rent increases
You can find lots more on what it is and what’s changed in our Renters Rights Act guide.
What are the different types of tenancy agreement?
There are four main types of tenancy agreement in England. Each one gives landlord and tenants different rights and responsibilities.
Assured periodic tenancy
This is also known as a rolling tenancy because it usually runs month by month.
Unlike a fixed-term tenancy, like six or 12 months, it doesn’t have a set end date.
These are common in the UK and are a good option if you've already got a good working relationship with your tenants.
Periodic tenancies usually include a two-month notice period from tenants if they want to leave. But landlords can change this if they want. You can find out more about assured periodic tenancies in our handy guide.
Excluded tenancy
This type of agreement is for lodgers. A tenant is a lodger if they rent a room in a home that you also live in, and share things like the kitchen and bathroom.
The home needs to be your permanent residence – not a holiday home.
The notice period for these agreements is usually the time between rental payments. For example, if rent is paid monthly, the notice period is usually one month.
We've got a handy guide on renting to lodgers if you'd like to learn more.
Regulated tenancy
These are much older tenancy agreements that began before 15 January 1989. They follow the Rent Act of 1977 and are quite rare.
These agreements give tenants stronger rights than most modern agreements, like greater protection from eviction and controls over how much rent can be charged.
If you don’t already have a regulated tenancy with a tenant, then it’s unlikely you’ll need to deal with one, as you can’t create them anymore.
Tenancy agreements outside of England
If your property is in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, tenancy agreements work a little differently.
Wales
Since 2022, most tenants in Wales have an occupation contract with their landlord instead of a tenancy agreement.
An occupation contract explains things like how much rent should be paid, what the notice period is and the tenant's rights.
There are two main types of occupation contract in Wales.
Standard occupation contract
This is the most common type of rental agreement in Wales and is used by most private landlords.
It's the closest to your typical tenancy agreement, where both the tenant and landlord signs a private contract, often through a letting agency.
Secure occupation contract
These are usually used by councils and housing associations. They give tenants greater protection from eviction than standard occupation contracts.
Scotland
Scotland has a few different types of tenancy agreement.
Private Residential Tenancy (PRT)
Since December 2017, Scotland's main kind of tenancy agreement is a Private Residential Tenancy (PRT).
This kind of contract has no written end date and carries on until either:
- the tenant decides to leave, or
- the landlord has a good legal reason to end the tenancy
PRTs offer tenants lots of protection against eviction and rent increases.
Scottish Secure Tenancies (SSTs)
There are also Scottish Secure Tenancies (SSTs) for social and council housing.
They give tenants stronger rights, including greater protection around repairs, tenancy changes and eviction.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland's private tenancies are split into a few categories:
- Fixed term tenancies – private rental agreements that have a fixed start and end date
- Periodic tenancies – private rental agreements with a rolling contract and no fixed end date
- Social housing tenancies – for council housing and housing associations with stronger rights for tenants
- Licence to occupy – like a lodger agreement for a tenant that’s living in the same home as you
Most private landlords in Northern Ireland use one of the first two types of agreements from the list above.
Do I need landlord insurance?
Landlord insurance isn't a legal requirement, but it can be a big help when the unexpected happens.
It can help with:
- damage to your rental property from fire, storms, flooding and theft
- loss of rent
- providing temporary accommodation for tenants if the property isn’t safe to live in
- liability costs if the tenant makes a claim against you
Head to our landlord insurance page to learn more about the cover we offer.
Don't forget that limits and exclusions always apply, so check your policy book to see what they are. You can also check your policy documents in MyAccount to see the type of cover you have.
