What Is An Assured Shorthold Tenancy?

The Assured Shorthold Tenancy is the default tenancy for most dwellings in England and Wales. It is a form of Assured tenancy with limited security of tenure, and an important class of residential tenancy in England and Wales. It was introduced by the Housing Act 1988

Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements are normally arranged for a six month period, but can be agreed for a longer period, e.g. twelve months. This type of tenancy allows the tenant to remain in the property for the first six months, or initial fixed period

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy entitles the landlord to a possession order immediately after the initial agreed period, which is usually for six months. The landlord is therefore able to evict the tenant after the initial fixed term without a legal reason. If this is the case and the landlord does not wish to renew the tenancy then they are obliged to give at least two months notice to end the tenancy

However, if both the tenant and landlord are happy with the agreement another tenancy can be agreed, for a new fixed period

An AST is suitable when:

The tenant is an individual as opposed to a company
The dwelling is the tenants main/principal home
The dwelling must be let as separate accommodation

However, there are a number of important exclusions (e.g tenancies that cannot be assured or assured shorthold), generally known as “Common Law” or “Contractual Tenancies, which include:

Lettings to companies
Holiday lettings
Tenancies granted by a resident landlord (A landlord living in the same property as the tenant)
Lettings at no rent, low rent or high rent (Over £25,000 per annum)
Being let with more than two acres of agricultural land or an agricultural tenancy
Tenancies entered into before 15th January 1989, or a tenancy that was previously a protected tenancy
Owned by the Crown or a government department

What Is An Assured Shorthold Tenancy?

An AST is suitable when:

Related Articles

Latest Posts