✅ Updated for May 2026 — already bought? Update free

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Template

Now an Assured Periodic Tenancy under the Renters' Rights Act 2025

(England)

Create your tenancy agreement with rent terms, deposit clauses, statutory notice provisions, and tenant obligations for residential letting.

Professionally drafted — structured following the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025) for England.

Download a professionally drafted Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement template for landlords and tenants. Also known as AST, Fixed-Term Tenancy. Covers rent payment terms, deposit protection, break clauses, maintenance obligations, access rights, and statutory compliance. Structured following Housing Act 1988 for England.

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Updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — periodic Assured Tenancy template for England.

🎯 Two creation methods — same professional document

Whether you prefer step-by-step guidance or a traditional form, both methods produce the identical professionally-formatted tenancy agreement. Choose the style that suits you.

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♻️ Unlimited use — generate agreements for every tenant at every property

💡 Need more than just an AST?

Get our Complete Residential Landlord Pack — includes the Assured Tenancy agreement, Inventory, Deposit Protection, Tenant Reference Form, Guarantor Agreement and more in one complete bundle.

Who Creates AST Agreements?

Assured shorthold tenancies are the most common form of residential letting in England — used by landlords of all sizes for standard residential properties.

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 brings significant changes to UK private renting from 1 May 2026, including the abolition of Section 21 'no-fault' evictions and conversion of all ASTs to periodic tenancies.▼ Tap below to read more

🏛️

⚠️ UK Tenancy Law Changes: Renters' Rights Act 2025

⚠️ Section 21 abolished — 1 May 2026
Possession grounds now matter from day one

With no-fault Section 21 evictions gone, possession now depends entirely on Section 8 grounds — and several of those can only be relied on if the correct Prior Notice was served at the start of the tenancy. Getting them right from the outset matters more than ever.

Our builder includes the relevant Prior Notices — tick the grounds that may apply and the correct notice wording is generated for you, served with your agreement from day one.

See the full Section 8 possession grounds guide →

What's Changing:

  • Royal Assent: 27 October 2025
  • Implementation Date: 1 May 2026
  • Section 21 abolished: No more "no-fault" evictions
  • Fixed-term ASTs ending: All new tenancies from 1 May 2026 will be periodic only
  • Existing ASTs remain valid under law: Agreements signed before 1 May 2026 don't need replacing

What This Means for Landlords:

After 1 May 2026, you can only end a tenancy using Section 8 grounds (e.g., rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, landlord moving in, selling the property). You cannot serve Section 21 notices anymore. ASTs created before the implementation date remain valid under law but will automatically become periodic tenancies.

Do I Need to Replace My AST?

No. ASTs signed before 1 May 2026 remain valid under law. However, from the implementation date, they automatically convert to periodic tenancies. Landlords must provide tenants with a government information sheet by 31 May 2026 (available on GOV.UK).

TemplatesUK Lifetime Updates:

All TemplatesUK customers receive free lifetime updates. Our updated tenancy template for the Renters' Rights Act 2025 is now available. Existing customers can access the new version at no additional cost.

✅ Updated May 2026 template now available: Use the links in the banner above to create a tenancy agreement with the new periodic tenancy structure. Existing customers can also access it from My Templates.

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is a residential tenancy governed by the Housing Act 1988, providing landlords with possession rights while giving tenants statutory protections and security of tenure.▼ Tap below to read more

📋

What Is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy?

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is the most common form of residential tenancy in England. Introduced by the Housing Act 1988 and made the default tenancy type in 1997, ASTs give landlords streamlined possession rights while providing tenants with basic protections.

Key Features:

  • Default tenancy type: Any tenancy created after 28 February 1997 is automatically an AST unless specifically stated otherwise
  • Residential property only: The property must be the tenant's only or main residence
  • Individual tenants: Cannot be granted to companies — tenant must be an individual or group of individuals
  • Section 21 possession (pre-1 May 2026 only): Before the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords could regain possession after a fixed term ended with 2 months' notice. This route was abolished on 1 May 2026 — possession is now only available under Section 8 grounds.
  • Section 8 grounds: Landlords can end tenancy for breach (e.g., rent arrears) during or after fixed term
  • Deposit protection: Deposits must be protected in government-approved scheme within 30 days
  • Rent controls: No rent controls during fixed term unless agreement includes review clause

Who Uses ASTs:

ASTs are used by buy-to-let landlords, portfolio investors, letting agents, and private landlords letting standard residential properties. They provide a balance between landlord flexibility and tenant security, making them suitable for most private rental situations.

Our AST template is professionally drafted following Housing Act 1988 requirements.

Verbal tenancies and poorly drafted agreements expose landlords to possession claim risks, deposit disputes, unenforceable terms under Consumer Rights Act 2015, and increased eviction costs when disputes arise.▼ Tap below to read more

⚠️

Risks of Using Verbal or Poorly-Drafted Agreements

Legal and Financial Risks:

  • Possession claim risks: Without a proper written agreement and pre-tenancy compliance, your Section 8 possession claim may be delayed or rejected by courts.
  • Deposit disputes: Without clear terms on deductions, tenant deposit schemes often rule in favour of tenants, leaving you covering damage costs.
  • Unfair terms unenforceable: Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes one-sided or excessive clauses void — poorly drafted agreements create legal challenges.
  • Break clause disputes: Vague or contradictory break clause wording leads to arguments about notice periods and timing.
  • Rent review failures: Without clear rent increase mechanism, you're stuck with statutory Section 13 process which tenants can challenge.
  • Access disputes: Without proper access provisions, you may struggle to inspect or repair property, leading to deterioration.
  • Pet damage unrecoverable: If you allow pets but don't document terms properly, you may not be able to recover pet-related damage costs.
  • Sub-letting problems: Without explicit sub-letting restrictions, tenants may sub-let rooms without your knowledge or permission.
  • Joint tenant confusion: Poorly drafted joint tenancy clauses create disputes when one tenant wants to leave but others remain.
  • Guarantor issues: Without proper guarantor provisions, you may not be able to enforce guarantor liability for rent arrears.

Compliance Failures:

Many landlords lose possession cases because their agreements lack required clauses, contain illegal terms, or weren't accompanied by mandatory documents (Government Information Sheet, EPC, Gas Safety Certificate). Courts take compliance seriously — non-compliance can delay or defeat your possession claim under the expanded Schedule 2 of the Housing Act 1988.

A professionally-drafted £10 AST helps you avoid these expensive mistakes.

Our AST template includes all essential clauses for residential lettings: party details, rent terms, deposit protection, optional break clauses, maintenance obligations, repair responsibilities, access provisions, and statutory compliance sections.▼ Tap below to read more

🎯

What's Included in Our AST Template

Comprehensive Tenancy Coverage:

  • ✓ Full party and property details
  • ✓ Fixed term or periodic tenancy options
  • ✓ Rent amount, frequency, and payment terms
  • ✓ Deposit amount and protection scheme details
  • ✓ Deposit deduction circumstances
  • ✓ Optional break clause with customisable terms
  • ✓ Landlord repair and maintenance obligations
  • ✓ Tenant care and reporting obligations
  • ✓ Rent review clause (optional)
  • ✓ Pet permission clause (optional)
  • ✓ Garden maintenance responsibilities
  • ✓ Parking arrangements
  • ✓ Utility and council tax responsibilities
  • ✓ Insurance requirements
  • ✓ Access and inspection terms
  • ✓ Subletting and assignment restrictions
  • ✓ Alteration restrictions
  • ✓ Anti-social behaviour clause
  • ✓ Data protection statement
  • ✓ Notice and termination provisions
  • ✓ Signature blocks for all parties
  • ✓ Guarantor section (optional)

Professional and comprehensive — drafted with court requirements in mind.

Related documents: Landlords creating AST agreements typically also need Inventory & Schedule of Condition, Deposit Protection Notice, and Guarantor Agreement.

Common AST errors include missing written agreements, unfair terms under Consumer Rights Act 2015, exceeding deposit limits under Tenant Fees Act 2019, vague break clause wording, and failing to comply with statutory requirements like deposit protection and prescribed information.▼ Tap below to read more

Common AST Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Make These Critical Errors:

  • No written agreement: Verbal tenancies are valid but leave you unprotected and make disputes harder to resolve.
  • Unfair terms: Consumer Rights Act 2015 makes unfair terms unenforceable — avoid excessive penalties or one-sided clauses.
  • Deposit over 5 weeks: Tenant Fees Act 2019 caps deposits at 5 weeks' rent (or 6 weeks if annual rent exceeds £50,000).
  • Missing break clause notice: If you include a break clause, specify exactly how much notice and when it can be used.
  • Unclear rent due date: "Monthly" isn't enough — specify the day of the month rent is due.
  • No inventory reference: Link the tenancy to a signed inventory for deposit disputes.
  • Wrong tenancy type: ASTs don't apply to all situations — company lets, holiday lets, and high-value properties may need different agreements.
  • Forgetting joint tenants: Each tenant should be named and sign — joint and several liability should be explicit.
  • No guarantor for students: Student tenants often need guarantors — include provision for this.
  • Contradictory terms: Ensure all clauses work together — e.g., don't say "no pets" then mention "pet deposit".

Our template helps you avoid these pitfalls with proper legal drafting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between fixed term and periodic tenancy?

A fixed term tenancy runs for a set period (e.g., 6 or 12 months) and cannot be ended early by either party unless there's a break clause. A periodic tenancy rolls on week-to-week or month-to-month with no end date. After a fixed term ends, it usually becomes a statutory periodic tenancy automatically.

The law is changing. The Renters' Rights Act 2025 takes effect on 1 May 2026. From this date, Section 21 'no-fault' evictions are abolished and all ASTs convert to periodic tenancies — fixed-term ASTs will no longer exist for new tenancies.

ASTs signed before 1 May 2026 remain valid but convert to periodic tenancies on the implementation date. Landlords must provide tenants with a government information sheet by 31 May 2026.

Our updated May 2026 template is available now — free for all existing customers.

How much deposit can I take?

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, the maximum deposit is 5 weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000, or 6 weeks' rent where annual rent is £50,000 or more.

You must protect the deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days and provide prescribed information.

Do I need a break clause?

A break clause is optional but gives flexibility.

It allows either party to end the tenancy early by giving notice (typically 2 months).

Without a break clause, a 12-month fixed term must run its full course — useful if you want security, but inflexible if circumstances change.

Can I include a rent increase clause?

Yes. You can include a rent review clause specifying how and when rent can increase.

Common approaches include annual increases linked to inflation (CPI/RPI), fixed percentage increases, or market rent reviews.

Without a clause, you'd need to use the statutory Section 13 process or negotiate a new agreement.

Is this template suitable for HMOs?

This AST template works for HMO rooms where the tenant has exclusive occupation of their room.

For HMOs, you'll typically need separate agreements for each tenant.

Note that HMOs have additional licensing and safety requirements beyond the tenancy agreement itself.

What if UK law changes after I purchase?

You receive free lifetime updates — no subscription required, no monthly fees, ever.

We monitor UK law changes and update templates accordingly. Our updated May 2026 tenancy template for the Renters' Rights Act 2025 is already available — free for all existing customers. When we release updated versions, they appear free in your My Templates page. No extra charges. No recurring fees.

Is this really £10 one-time, or will I be charged monthly?

£10 one-time. That's it. No subscriptions, no recurring fees, no "free trial" traps.

Here's what we don't do: Other sites advertise "free templates" — you spend 15 minutes filling one in, then they demand your card for a "free trial" that charges £35–£42/month when you forget to cancel. Worse, many are US-based and won't hold up under UK law. (Read about the scam)

We're different: £10 upfront for the document you actually need. Build it, preview it, pay only when you're happy. Own it forever with free lifetime updates. Based on UK law. No subscription fatigue.

Related Landlord Documents

Landlords creating AST agreements typically need these related documents:

Not sure where to start?

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