Tenancy Agreement

Welcome to TenancyAgreement.org. This site is a dedicated resource focusing on tenancy agreements and information that is relevant to both landlords and tenants. Our tenancy agreement templates are written for us by the legal documents experts at legalcentre.co.uk. There are many sites on the internet where you can download tenancy agreements but not many of those sites offer a guaranteed up to date agreement prepared by a solicitor. We do! We don’t just offer one tenancy agreement we have all of the types of tenancy agreement available for free download. Why do we offer free tenancy agreement downloads when other sites are charging for such services? Well, the answer is two fold:

A Tenancy Agreement Brings Certainty

If a dispute ever arises with a tenant being able to point to a formal tenancy agreement brings certainty to what would otherwise often be an ambiguous situation and a recipie for time consuming tenant problems. As landlords ourselves we are only too familiar with the fact that landlords have an unjustifiably (in our opinion) reputation and we want to do our bit to improve that. Many landlord tenant disputes arise from the failure of the landlord and the tenant to put in place a tenancy agreement. There is no reason why not to put an agreement in place. Even before we started offering them free for download they could be purchased elsewhere on the web very cheap. Many sites offer them for less than ten pounds.

Offering Free Tenancy Agreements Helps you help Us
 

Yes, it’s true we do get something back ourselves from offering tenancy agreements for download completely free. We get the chance to offer contacts that we work with within the industry relevant advertising space on the site. This helps us strengthen our relationships. However, we do ask for your support by donating to the site once you have downloaded your free tenancy agreement. You can make a donation by Pay Pal. Your donations help to ensure that the site has enough income to keep running and any excess is used to pay for further development of the site. Our aim is that one day the site will become the best free tenancy agreements resource on the internet. We can only achieve that with your support so please do donate if you download our documents.

More about Tenancy Agreements

The information relating to tenancy agreements on this site is based on the detailed property information available at our parent site Legal Centre.co.uk. Types of tenancy agreements will differ from the duration they are in place, how they protect the tenant and landlord, and through other means. Assured Shorthold Tenancy is just one type of tenancy agreement you can obtain. The Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is normally offered for a six month rental. It can also state a specific fixed period. The landlord will allow the tenant on the property for the specified length of time.
The contract for this type of agreement focuses on the time period and the amount of the rent. The contract states that both parties are in agreement as to the two aspects, and that either is protected if the agreement is not upheld by both parties. In other words, the tenant is safe from an increase in rent during the period the Assured Shorthold Tenancy is in place. The landlord is also protected in the case that the renter fails to pay the rent or decides to leave before the term is up. The tenant is given the right to challenge high rent or changes to the agreed contract.

Since the typical contract lasts for six months the landlord is also given the right to take possession of the keys and flat once the six months is up. These rights were outlined in the Housing Act of 1988. It states that the AST is letting a property with separate accommodation, it must be the tenant’s main home, and the tenant should be an individual.

There are instances in which the AST may not be used. These instances are important, as it could determine who the landlord is able to let to. For example the building cannot be let to a company, exceed 25,000 pounds for rent, be let for low to no cost, used as a holiday home, have the landlord in the same property, or be more than two acres of agricultural land. The agreement also does not work when it was let before 1989, or if it is owned by a government department.

Since 1988, some information has changed regarding the AST agreements. In 1997 the Assured Shorthold Tenancy became the main type of agreement used by landlords for residential property. All tenancies before 1997 or on February 28th 1997 were automatically switched to the AST, unless other steps were taken.
The Housing Act was revised in 1996, which helped to change the regulations a little more in order to protect both parties. The changes were meant to make the letting more open and appealing for all so that the agreement could be used.

When in a circumstance such as letting it is imperative to know what type of tenancy agreement you have. Chances are you do have the AST if you have lived in the same property since 1997, rent from a private landlord, and all other items mentioned above apply. The Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement is just one option you have. Since it is meant to protect both parties, you may find it is the better of the two options. Your other option would be an Assured Tenancy.