The Assured shorthold tenancy (AST) is the most common type of agreement used by landlords to let residential properties to private tenants. ASTs are typically given for a period of six months but can be for longer. After this initial agreed period, the landlord is able to evict the tenant without a legal reason provided sufficient notice is given to the tenant.
When the period of an assured shorthold tenancy comes to an end and the tenancy is not renewed, but the tenant stays in the property the tenancy will continue as a Periodic Tenancy until the landlord decides to end it. The landlord must end it by serving at least 2 months’ notice.
If the landlord takes a rent deposit, this must be kept in a regulated Tenancy Deposit Scheme. If this is not done, it can impact on the ability to evict a tenant.
There are no legal restrictions on the minimum or maximum length of an AST, although a tenancy for longer than three years will need to be executed by deed and those over seven years will need to be registered with the Land Registry.
AST agreements should contain provisions such as rent, area let, regulations and Keira Rawden can provide assistance in drafting this for you. We can also advise on how to end these tenancies and evict tenants if necessary.