Tenancy agreements: a guide for landlords

A tenancy agreement is a contract between you and your tenant.

Tenancy types

This is the most common form of private tenancy.

Features of an assured shorthold tenancy:

you don't live in the property
the tenancy began on or after 15 January 1989
it is not a business or holiday let
if you do not wish to continue to rent out the property at the end of the contract, you will be entitled to repossession in the County Court.

Also see:

This is where you live in the same property as the tenant.

Also see:

This is where a tenancy began before 15 January 1989.

Features of a regulated tenancy:

you cannot evict the tenant unless you get a possession order from the courts
if the tenant dies his or her spouse will normally take over the regulated tenancy
you or the tenant can apply to the rent officer for a fair rent to be registered
once a rent is registered it is the maximum you can charge until it is reviewed or cancelled

Also see:

This is where two or more people agree to take on one tenancy. Popular amongst friends as opposed to partners.

Features of a joint tenancy:

there is always one tenancy, one rent and one deposit. the group of people are effectively acting together to be the tenant.
the group take joint responsibility for ensuring that all obligations relating to the tenancy are met, including payment of rent and damages