This is part of a series of guidance about tenancy agreements provided for students.
What’s Included in a Tenancy Agreement
Even within a particular category of tenancies, say joint, fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies there is vast variability of what is covered in contracts. However, there are certain elements that are likely to be common to most.
- Landlord’s Name and Address. Even if the landlord has appointed a letting agent you are legally entitled to know his name and address.
- Tenants’ Names.
- Address of the property being let, including details of any exclusions, for example if the garage is excluded from the tenancy.
The above points should all be included to ensure that the tenancy agreement has been created in a proper manner.
- Rent level, and frequency and method of payment.
- Details of any Deposit held in relation to the tenancy, and what it can be held against (such as damage, breach of tenancy, and rent arrears).
- Duration of tenancy, including commencement date. The duration is expressed as a fixed term for most student tenancies, but can be periodic.
As well as the above, which fundamentally lay out the tenancy, you will usually also find sections covering:
- Landlord’s responsibilities
- Tenants’ responsibilities
Carefully read the section on tenants’ responsibilities – it may bind you to do lots of things during the tenancy. There are regulations limiting what you can be made to do, even if it is within your contract (read our information on Unfair Terms for details), but it’s far simpler if you find something you wouldn’t be willing to do to negotiate that point with the landlord and see whether he’s willing to remove it.
Summary
- There is a vast range of different tenancy agreements.
- Some common elements will include details of your rent and deposit.
- You should be given your landlord’s name and address.
- There will usually be a section on your responsibilities as a tenant – read this particularly closely.
Pages in this Guide
- Types of Tenancy
- Joint vs. Individual Tenancies
- Fixed term vs. Periodic Tenancies
- A Valid Tenancy
- What’s included in a Tenancy Agreement
- Exercising Caution with Tenancy Agreements
- Verbal Agreements
This information is provided for general guidance only, and should not be considered to be definitive or legally binding in respect of any specific situation. If you have a specific query, you should contact your Student Advice Centre, or a Citizens’ Advice Bureau.
This guide is copyright LetsUni, and may not be reproduced without prior written permission.