Free Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Template

Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements are an essential tool for landlords.

The overwhelming majority of private landlords in the UK use this agreement to let their residential properties. So, if you want a simple, adjustable and printable template, look no further than this Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Template in PDF/Word format.

 

But perhaps you’d like to know more about this type of tenancy, and whether it would suit your situation as a landlord? If so, keep reading for the details, what to include, the pros & cons and much, much more.

What is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement?

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement (AST) is the most common tenancy agreement in the UK, and for this reason it’s important to know how it works and who it is for. Essentially, it is a formal, rental agreement that outlines the rights and responsibilities of a private landlord and tenant for the duration of the tenancy.

As a landlord, it is essential to formalise the agreement with potential tenants, and to do that, it is sensible to use an AST document – like this customisable Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement template (PDF/Word).

Protections offered by an AST agreement

ASTs are governed by the Housing Act 1988, which offers buy-to-let investors the following legal protections and advantages…

• A secure time period – ASTs are usually issued for six or 12 months, which gives landlords the opportunity to decide whether or not to renew the agreement at the end of the fixed period.

• Eviction is viable after fixed term – Landlords are able to evict tenants after the fixed term of the contract has ended, or if there is a ‘break clause’ as part of it. Under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988 the landlord can serve the tenant notice to end the tenancy.

• Eviction is possible when there is a breach of tenancy – It is also possible for landlords terminate the tenancy before the fixed term ends under certain conditions, for example, if serious anti-social behaviour is being committed. To do this, the landlord will have to supply a Section 8 eviction notice and detail the terms of the tenancy which have been broken. Afterwards they can pursue eviction through the courts.

• Eviction can be prompt under certain conditions – For the majority of 17 grounds covered by Section 8 of the Housing Act – including rental arrears, serious anti-social behaviour, and other breaches of the terms of the agreement – a landlord is required to give the tenant just two weeks’ notice to quit.

• Freedom from rent controls – ASTs are not generally subject to rent control (in England), so landlords have more freedom to raise the rent to fit their requirements, so long as it is justifiable according to the standard market rent.

When can an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement template be used? 

ASTs are exceptionally flexible, and will suit nearly all rental arrangement. That said, ASTs don’t cover certain agreements and circumstances. Below, you’ll see the allowances and restrictions for these agreements.

When ASTs can be used:

• If someone rents from a housing association or a private landlord
• If the tenancy began post 15th January 1989
• If the home is your main or only residence
• The landlord does not live with the tenant in the property

When ASTs cannot be used:

• If the tenancy started before the 15th January 1989
• If the rent is above £100,000 per year
• If the rent is below £250 a year (£1000 in London)
• If the tenancy is for a business
• If the property is used as a holiday let
• If the ‘landlord’ is the local council

If you like a custom, completely personalised assured shorthold tenancy agreement, use the link below. It takes about 5 minutes to create and you will end up with an agreement, tailored to your specific property.

Download CUSTOM AST Template

Alternatively, if you just want to download a generic template, use the link below.

Download GENERIC AST Template

 

What to include in an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement template

There are numerous, important pieces of information to include in your tenancy agreement template, here are some of the key details you should expect to see:

1. Basic information: The full names of the landlord, tenant(s), and any guarantor. Also, the full address of the property should be included, as well as relevant contact details.
2. Tenancy start & end date: The fixed term duration must be stated clearly (e.g., 6 or 12 months), and also if it is a periodic tenancy. If relevant, a ‘break clause’ should be included, along with conditions under which either party can end the tenancy early.
3. Rent & payments: Include how much the tenant must pay (e.g., monthly or weekly), along with the due date it should be paid. Lay out the method of payment, for example bank transfer, standing order etc., and any penalties for overdue rent.
4. Deposit protection & deposit amount: This is usually equivalent to five weeks’ rent (or six if annual rent is over £50,000). It should be stated which Deposit protection scheme is used, as required by law, under the three legitimate schemes. Equally, there needs to be a process and conditions for returning the deposit at the end of the tenancy.
5. Tenant & landlord responsibilities: There should be a clear list of responsibilities, both for the landlord and tenant. For example, paying rent on time, property upkeep, keeping on good terms for neighbours, allowing reasonable access for repairs/inspections etc. Landlord obligations include keeping the property safe and in good repair, providing gas, electricity, water, and heating facilities, protecting the tenant’s deposit, and following proper eviction procedures.
6. Bills & utilities: You will need to outline who is responsible for council tax, electricity, gas, water, broadband, etc.  and whether any bills are included in the rent.
7. Use of the property residential: This should confirm that the tenant cannot use the property for business, and whether subletting, lodgers or pets are allowed.
8. Repairs & maintenance: The agreement must stipulate the landlord’s responsibility for structural repairs, heating, plumbing, etc. Tenant responsibilities must also be present, including basic maintenance, keeping the property clean and reporting issues promptly.
9. Inspections & right to enter: The required notice period for a landlord to enter a property for inspections or repairs, which should be a minimum of 24 hours.
10. Ending the tenancy: Outline how much notice either party must give to end the tenancy, and how the property should be left afterwards. Also include any grounds for deposit deductions, for example, unacceptable damage beyond ‘wear and tear’.
11. Additional clauses (if applicable): For example, whether smoking inside is allowed and a list of included furniture or appliances. You should also consider any garden maintenance responsibilities. Add a guarantor agreement if required which includes the obligations of a guarantor.
12. Signatures: Both parties must sign and date the agreement to make it legally binding.

Pros & cons of using an AST agreement

There are many good reasons that landlords create AST agreements – as opposed to other types. We investigate the various pros and cons below:

Advantages of AST agreements for landlords

• Legal protection – Provides a clear legal framework outlining rights and obligations, reducing disputes. It is a very common agreement, so advice is plentiful, and there are many landlords and lettings agencies who are used to handling tenants under these agreements.

• Simpler eviction process – Under the current rules, Section 21 allows landlords to regain possession more easily than other tenancy types with a 2-month notice.

• Flexible tenancy length – Fixed-term tenancies can be agreed for up to 3 years (though most are between 6-12 months). It is common for landlords to allow the tenant to continue under the same terms with a ‘periodic tenancy’ thereafter, allowing the rental term to continue for as long as it is mutually beneficial.

• Deposit protection – Required by law, ensuring fair handling of tenant deposits and reducing legal risks by introducing a neutral third party.

• Market rent control – Landlords can review and increase rent after the fixed term has ended, or after a break clause in the agreement, so long as 6 months of the tenancy have elapsed.

Disadvantages of AST agreements for landlords

• Tenant security – Tenants have legal rights that prevent eviction without notice, particularly during the fixed-term. The agreement generally does not suit arrangements shorter than 6 months.

• Deposit scheme compliance – Landlords must protect deposits in a government-approved scheme, adding administrative work and compliance stipulations to remember.

• Restrictions on rent increases – Rent can only be increased after the fixed term of the tenancy has ended. The only exception is if the tenant chooses to agree to an increase.

• Potential for long eviction processes – If a tenant refuses to leave, court action may be required, which can be costly and time-consuming.

• Legal changes and uncertainty – Future reforms via the Renters Rights Bill includes significant changes to the way tenancies work, which will increase the compliance burden for landlords (and make eviction more difficult).

Future changes to Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements

Once the Renters Rights Bill finally becomes law, the aim is to “move to a simpler tenancy structure where all assured tenancies are periodic”. So, while the core parts of the agreement will be similar, there will no longer be a fixed term to the tenancy. The landlord or tenant will have to give notice to one another under new rules, and use reformed Section 8 eviction grounds to reclaim the property.

Get your FREE Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Example

By now, you should know the essentials of what the agreement involves, and if it is right for you. If you’re ready to begin creating your document, simply start here: Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement Sample.