Tenancy Agreement Template England and Wales

ASSURED SHORTHOLD TENANCY AGREEMENT

(England and Wales – Housing Act 1988 as amended by the Housing Act 1996)

DOCUMENT CONTROL

• Effective Date: [Date]
• Version: 4.2 (England & Wales Standard)
• Jurisdiction: England and Wales
• Regulatory Compliance: Deregulation Act 2015, Tenant Fees Act 2019, Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018

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1. LEGAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is a legally binding contract creating an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) under the laws of England and Wales. It grants the Tenant the right to occupy the Property for the agreed term. Both Landlord and Tenant should read all clauses carefully to ensure full understanding of their respective rights and obligations. If either party is uncertain about their legal rights, independent legal advice should be sought prior to execution.

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2. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

2.1 The Parties

• Landlord: [Full Legal Name of Landlord] of [Landlord Residential/Registered Address] (Email: [Email Address], Phone: [Phone Number]), including any person entitled to receive the rent payable under this Agreement.
• Tenant: [Full Legal Name of Tenant 1] and [Full Legal Name of Tenant 2] of [Current Address] (Email: [Email Addresses], Phone: [Phone Numbers]).

2.2 Definitions & Interpretation

• "The Property": [Full Postal Address of Property, including postcode], together with the fixtures, fittings, furniture, and effects specified in the Inventory.
• "The Term": A fixed term starting on [Start Date] and expiring on [End Date] at 23:59 hours.
• "Rent": [£Amount] payable [Monthly / Weekly], in advance.
• "Deposit": [£Amount], not exceeding the maximum cap prescribed by the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (equivalent to 5 weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000).
• "Deposit Scheme": [Name of Tenancy Deposit Scheme, e.g., Deposit Protection Service (DPS)].
• "Inventory": The schedule of condition and contents prepared prior to the commencement of the Term.

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3. OPERATIVE CLAUSES & TERMS

3.1 Grant of Tenancy

The Landlord lets and the Tenant takes the Property for the Term at the Rent, subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

3.2 Rent Payment

3.2.1 The Tenant shall pay the Rent in advance by standing order on the [Day, e.g., 1st] day of each [calendar month / week] into the Landlord’s nominated bank account:

• Bank Name: [Bank Name]
• Sort Code: [Sort Code]
• Account Number: [Account Number]
• Account Name: [Account Name]

3.2.2 Interest at a rate of 3% above the Bank of England base rate per annum will be charged 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.

3.3 Deposit Protection and Deductions

3.3.1 The Deposit shall be held by the Landlord (or their Letting Agent) as stakeholder and protected in accordance with the rules of the Deposit Scheme within 30 days of receipt. 3.3.2 The Deposit may be applied at the end of the Term to cover reasonable costs incurred due to:

• Any damage, loss, or destruction to the Property or Inventory (fair wear and tear excepted).
• Unpaid rent or utility accounts.
• Cleaning costs required to return the Property to the standard set out in the initial Inventory.
• Any other breach of the Tenant's obligations under this Agreement.

3.4 Tenant Obligations

The Tenant agrees with the Landlord to:

1. Rent: Pay the Rent on the due dates, whether formally demanded or not.
2. Utilities & Council Tax: Pay all charges for gas, electricity, water, telephone, television licence, broadband, and Council Tax relating to the Property during the Term.
3. Use of Property: Use the Property strictly as a private single residential dwelling and not carry out any trade, business, or profession from the premises.
4. Maintenance & Repairs: Keep the interior of the Property in good, clean tenantable repair and condition (damage by accidental fire and fair wear and tear excepted).
5. Reporting Defects: Promptly notify the Landlord or Agent in writing of any damage, defect, or need for repair to the Property, particularly regarding structural issues, plumbing, or electrical systems, to uphold obligations under the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018.
6. Alterations: Not make any alterations, additions, or redecorate the Property, nor fix any fixtures or fittings, without the prior written consent of the Landlord.
7. Subletting & Assignment: Not assign, sublet, take in lodgers, or part with possession of the whole or any part of the Property without the Landlord's express prior written consent.
8. Nuisance: Not cause, nor allow members of their household, invitees, or visitors to cause, a nuisance, annoyance, disturbance, or danger to neighbors or the local community.
9. Absence: Notify the Landlord in writing if the Property is to be vacant for any continuous period exceeding 14 days.
10. Access: Permit the Landlord, or any person authorized by them, to enter the Property at reasonable hours during the day (giving at least 24 hours' written notice, except in emergencies) to view its condition, carry out repairs, or inspect gas/electrical appliances.

3.5 Landlord Obligations

The Landlord agrees with the Tenant to:

1. Quiet Enjoyment: Permit the Tenant to quietly hold and enjoy the Property during the Term without interruption by the Landlord or any person lawfully claiming under or through the Landlord.
2. Structural Repairs: Keep in repair the exterior and structure of the Property (including drains, gutters, and external pipes) and installations for the supply of water, gas, electricity, and sanitation (basins, sinks, baths, and sanitary conveniences) in accordance with Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.
3. Insurance: Insure the building of the Property against fire and other standard comprehensive risks under a normal commercial policy.

3.6 Termination and Break Clauses

3.6.1 Break Clause: Either party may terminate this Agreement by serving not less than [2] months' written notice upon the other, provided that such notice shall not expire earlier than [Date, e.g., 6 months from start]. 3.6.2 Forfeiture: If the Rent is unpaid for 14 days after becoming due (whether formally demanded or not), or if the Tenant breaches any material obligation of this Agreement, the Landlord may re-enter the Property (or any part of it in the name of the whole) and the tenancy shall immediately determine, without prejudice to any other rights of the Landlord.

3.7 Statutory Notices

• Section 48 Notice: The Tenant is hereby notified that notices (including notices in proceedings) must be served on the Landlord at the following address: [Landlord's Address for Service in England and Wales].
• Prescribed Information: The Tenant acknowledges receipt of the Deposit prescribed information and the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), Gas Safety Certificate, and the Government’s "How to Rent" guide prior to the signing of this Agreement.

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4. SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

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

Landlord Execution

• Signed by the Landlord: __________________________________
• Print Name: [Full Legal Name of Landlord]
• Title / Capacity: [Landlord / Authorized Agent]
• Date: [Date]
• In the presence of (Witness):
  • Witness Signature: __________________________________
  • Witness Name: [Witness Full Name]
  • Witness Address: [Witness Address]

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Tenant Execution

• Signed by the Tenant (1): __________________________________
• Print Name: [Full Legal Name of Tenant 1]
• Date: [Date]
• In the presence of (Witness):
  • Witness Signature: __________________________________
  • Witness Name: [Witness Full Name]
  • Witness Address: [Witness Address]

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• Signed by the Tenant (2): __________________________________
• Print Name: [Full Legal Name of Tenant 2]
• Date: [Date]
• In the presence of (Witness):
  • Witness Signature: __________________________________
  • Witness Name: [Witness Full Name]
  • Witness Address: [Witness Address]

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5. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Verify Mandatory Compliance Documentation: Prior to signing, ensure the Tenant has formally received the current EPC rating (E or above), the Landlord's Gas Safety Certificate, the EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report), and the latest iteration of the government’s How to Rent guide.
2. Complete All Fillable Fields: Replace every bracketed placeholder [...] with accurate, verified legal names, exact addresses, and agreed financial figures to prevent contractual ambiguity.
3. Execute in the Presence of Witnesses: Both Landlord and Tenant(s) must sign the document in the physical presence of an independent witness (aged 18 or over, not a family member) who must immediately countersign with their name and address.
4. Deposit Registration & Record Keeping: Register the Security Deposit with an authorized Tenancy Deposit Scheme within 30 calendar days of receipt and issue the Prescribed Information to the Tenant to preserve statutory eviction rights under the Housing Act 1988.