England Lease & Tenancy Agreement Requirements
Review essential requirements for residential tenancy agreements in England, including the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) framework and permitted tenant fees.
Legal Disclaimer
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Laws change frequently — always verify current regulations and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice specific to your situation. Landager is a property management platform, not a law firm.Information last verified: May 2026.
England Tenancy Agreement Requirements
As of 1 May 2026, the Renters' Rights Act 2025 has fundamentally restructured residential tenancies in England. The traditional Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) and the Section 21 "no-fault" eviction process have been abolished in favor of a universal periodic tenancy system.
The Assured Periodic Tenancy Framework
Under the new regime, all private residential tenancies are periodic from day one. Key features include:
- No Fixed Terms: Landlords are prohibited from offering or enforcing fixed-term agreements (e.g., 6 or 12-month terms). Tenancies roll month-to-month indefinitely.
- Section 21 Abolished: Landlords can no longer end a tenancy without a specific legal reason. All evictions must now be grounded in the reformed Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988.
- Rent Increases: Rent can only be increased once per year using the statutory Section 13 notice procedure. "Rent bidding" is strictly prohibited; landlords must not accept offers above the advertised rent.
- Right to Request Pets: Tenants have a statutory right to request a pet (Section 7), which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse (though they can require pet insurance).
Essential Tenancy Agreement Elements
To comply with the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the Housing Act 1988, agreements must include:
- Identification of Parties: Full legal names and contact details for the landlord and all tenants.
- Property Description: Precise address and included amenities.
- Rolling Rent Terms: The rent amount and the monthly payment date (fixed terms are void).
- Deposit Protection: Statement of the security deposit amount and the chosen government-approved TDP scheme.
- Information Sheet: For existing tenancies transitioning to the new system, landlords must provide the government’s information sheet by 31 May 2026.
- Maintenance Obligations: Clear definition of repair responsibilities as per Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
Banned Fees (Tenant Fees Act 2019)
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 strictly limits what landlords and agents can charge. Permitted payments include:
[!WARNING] Charging a "prohibited payment" is a civil offence punishable by a fine of up to £5,000. Repeat offenders can face criminal prosecution and unlimited fines.
Deploy Compliant English Tenancy Agreements
Using outdated templates that include banned fees or incorrect notice periods can lead to severe penalties. Landager provides legally verified, up-to-date AST templates tailored for the English market.
Sources & Official References
📬 Get notified when these laws change
We'll email you when landlord-tenant laws update in No spam — only law changes.
