Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Template UK

ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCY (AST) AGREEMENT

(England & Wales — Housing Acts 1988 and 1996 as amended by the Tenant Fees Act 2019)

DOCUMENT CONTROL

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version: 4.2 (UK-RES-AST)
• Jurisdiction/Scope: England and Wales

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OFFICIAL NOTICE & COMPLIANCE DISCLAIMER

This document is an institutional-grade legal template tailored for residential lettings in England and Wales. It incorporates statutory requirements under the Housing Act 1988, the Deregulation Act 2015, and the Tenant Fees Act 2019. Parties must ensure all mandatory pre-tenancy disclosures (Gas Safety Certificate, Energy Performance Certificate, EICR, and the current version of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government booklet 'How to Rent: The checklist for renting in England') are served to the Tenant prior to execution. Legal counsel should be consulted for bespoke asset arrangements.

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1. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Agreement is made on [Date] between:

1. The Landlord: [Landlord's Full Legal Name] of [Landlord's Address] (hereinafter called "the Landlord", which expression shall include their successors in title and assigns), and/or represented by Managing Agent: [Agent Name if applicable, else 'N/A'].
2. The Tenant: [Tenant's Full Legal Name] of [Tenant's Current Address] (hereinafter called "the Tenant", which expression shall include those deriving title under them).

Property Definition:

• The Property: [Full Property Address including Postcode], together with the fixtures, fittings, furniture, and effects specified in the Inventory.
• Term: A fixed term of [Number] [Months/Years], commencing on [Start Date] and expiring on [End Date] at 23:59.
• Rent: [£0.00] per [Month/Week], payable in advance by the Tenant on the [Day] day of each rental period.
• Deposit: [£0.00], protected under a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme ([Name of Scheme, e.g., Deposit Protection Service]).

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2. OPERATIVE CLAUSES & TERMS

1. RENT & PAYMENT

1.1 The Tenant shall pay the Rent clear of all deductions on the agreed due date to the Landlord’s designated bank account:

• Bank Name: [Bank Name]
• Sort Code: [00-00-00]
• Account Number: [00000000]

1.2 Interest shall be charged at 3% above the Bank of England base rate per annum on any rent lawfully due that is more than 14 days in arrears, calculated from the date the rent was due until the date it is paid.

2. TENANCY DEPOSIT

2.1 The Deposit is paid to the Landlord as security for the performance of the Tenant’s obligations under this Agreement. 2.2 The Deposit will be protected by the Landlord within 30 days of receipt in accordance with the rules of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, and the prescribed information shall be provided to the Tenant. 2.3 The Deposit will be returned to the Tenant within 10 days of the end of the tenancy, subject to deductions authorized under the Housing Act 2004 for unpaid rent, damage, or breach of covenants.

3. PERMITTED PAYMENTS (TENANT FEES ACT 2019)

3.1 The Tenant shall not be charged any fee save for those permitted under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, which include:

• The rent.
• A refundable tenancy deposit capped at no more than 5 weeks’ rent (where annual rent is less than £50,000).
• A refundable holding deposit capped at no more than 1 week’s rent.
• Payments to service providers in respect of utilities, communication services, TV licence, and Council Tax.
• Default fees for the replacement of a lost key/security device ([Cost-reflective amount, e.g., £50 maximum]).
• Payments associated with variation, assignment, or surrender of a tenancy at the Tenant's request ([Capped at £50 or reasonable costs]).

4. USE OF THE PROPERTY

4.1 The Tenant shall use the Property exclusively as a private single residential dwelling and shall not run any business, trade, or profession from the premises. 4.2 The Tenant shall not assign, sublet, or part with possession of the whole or any part of the Property, nor take in lodgers or paying guests. 4.3 The Tenant shall not cause any nuisance, annoyance, disturbance, or inconvenience to the neighbors or the Landlord.

5. REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE, AND ACCESS

5.1 The Tenant shall keep the interior of the Property in good decorative order and condition (fair wear and tear excepted) and shall immediately report any defect, damage, or failure of utility services to the Landlord or Managing Agent. 5.2 The Tenant shall not make any alterations, additions, or redecorate the Property without the prior written consent of the Landlord. 5.3 The Landlord (or agents/contractors authorized by them) reserves the right to enter the Property upon giving not less than 24 hours’ written notice to inspect condition, carry out repairs, or show the Property to prospective buyers/tenants.

6. UTILITIES AND COUNCIL TAX

6.1 The Tenant shall be liable for and shall pay all charges for gas, electricity, water, sewerage, telephone, broadband, television licensing, and Council Tax incurred during the term of the tenancy. 6.2 The Tenant shall not change the utility providers or meters without prior written consent from the Landlord.

7. INSURANCE

7.1 The Landlord is responsible for insuring the building structure and the Landlord’s contents. 7.2 The Tenant is solely responsible for obtaining their own contents insurance for personal property; the Landlord’s insurance policy does not cover the Tenant’s possessions.

8. TERMINATION AND BREAK CLAUSE

8.1 Break Clause: Either party may terminate this Agreement by serving not less than [2] months’ written notice to the other, provided that such notice shall not expire earlier than the [Month] month of the fixed term. 8.2 Upon termination, the Tenant shall yield up the Property in the same clean state and condition as it was at the commencement of the tenancy, removing all personal effects and refuse.

9. STATUTORY NOTICES

9.1 The address for service of any notices (including notices in proceedings under section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987) on the Landlord is: [Landlord's Address for Notices].

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3. SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement as a Deed/Contract on the date first written above.

LANDLORD / AUTHORIZED AGENT:

• Printed Name: [Landlord / Agent Full Name]
• Title/Capacity: [Managing Director / Property Owner]
• Signature: ________________________________________
• Date: [Date]

WITNESS TO LANDLORD SIGNATURE:

• Witness Name: [Witness Full Name]
• Address: [Witness Address]
• Signature: ________________________________________
• Date: [Date]

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TENANT:

• Printed Name: [Tenant Full Name]
• Title/Capacity: [Tenant]
• Signature: ________________________________________
• Date: [Date]

WITNESS TO TENANT SIGNATURE:

• Witness Name: [Witness Full Name]
• Address: [Witness Address]
• Signature: ________________________________________
• Date: [Date]

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4. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Pre-Tenancy Disclosures: Ensure the Tenant receives the mandatory "How to Rent" guide, valid EPC, Gas Safety Certificate, and EICR before any money changes hands or this agreement is signed.
2. Information Completion: Fill out all bracketed fields ([...]) with verified, accurate data. Do not leave blanks in operative clauses.
3. Execution & Witnessing: Both parties and independent witnesses must sign and date the document in ink (or via a secure, compliant electronic signature platform conforming to eIDAS standards).
4. Deposit Protection: Register the Deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receipt and serve the Prescribed Information to the Tenant to maintain compliance under the Housing Act 2004.