Different Tenancy types
Trying to understand your status and rights while renting can be difficult. Many different sources give conflicting information. To help you understand the different types of tenancy, we have created this short guide:
Assured shorthold tenancies
The most common form of tenancy is an AST. Most new tenancies are automatically this type. Many ASTs start with a fixed term agreement, for example, 1 year from date of signing. At the end of the fixed term your tenancy can become a periodic rolling tenancy or you can agree a new fixed term. A tenancy can be an AST if all of the following apply:
- The property you rent is private
- Your tenancy started on or after 15 January 1989
- The property is your main accommodation
- Your landlord does not live in the property
A tenancy cannot be an AST if:
- It began or was agreed before 15 January 1989
- The rent is more than £100,000 a year
- The rent is less than £250 a year (less than £1,000 in London)
- It’s a business tenancy or tenancy of licensed premises
- The property is a holiday let
- your landlord is a local council
Assured tenancy
Tenancies starting between 15 January 1989 and 27 February 1997 may be assured. You’ll have increased protection from eviction with this type of agreement, meaning a tenant can stay in a property as long as they meet their responsibilities and don't break their agreement. Landlords can only end an assured tenancy for legal reasons, such as rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.
Excluded tenancy
An excluded tenancy agreement is a type of rental agreement where the tenant does not have the protection of most tenants who are in assured tenancy agreements or regulated tenancy agreements. You may have an excluded tenancy or licence if you lodge with your landlord and share rooms with them, like a kitchen or bathroom.