A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that sets out both the legal and contractual responsibilities and obligations of the two parties. It should be written in plain, intelligible language with no unnecessary jargon. The terms and clauses should be fair and balanced, taking account of the respective positions of the parties and should not mislead about legal rights and responsibilities.

The most common form of tenancy agreement is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (AST) under the 1968 Housing Act (amended 1996). This type of tenancy has the most flexibility to both landlord and tenant; has straightforward notice procedures for bringing the tenancy to an end and a special Accelerated Possession court procedure should tenants fail to vacate the property. If certain specific conditions are met relating to the proposed letting, a ‘contractual’ non-Housing Act tenancy must be created. One example of this would be what is commonly referred to as a Company Let, where the tenant is a bone fide registered company, another would be where the annual rent equates to over £100,000.

A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that sets out both the legal and contractual responsibilities and obligations of the two parties. It should be written in plain, intelligible language with no unnecessary jargon. The terms and clauses should be fair and balanced, taking account of the respective positions of the parties and should not mislead about legal rights and responsibilities.