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Assured shorthold tenancy agreement for England, updated for 2026

Reviewed in October 2026

Since 1 May 2026, new private tenancies in England are assured periodic tenancies, and assured shorthold tenancies became rolling tenancies. This template is the written tenancy agreement for that new rolling tenancy. It sets the rent, the deposit and the rules, with no end date.

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Tenancy agreement example, filled in with sample data
Example filled in with sample data

The full tenancy agreement

ASSURED PERIODIC TENANCY AGREEMENT (ENGLAND)

This agreement is made on [date] between [landlord name], of [landlord address for notices] (the "Landlord"), and [tenant names] (the "Tenant"). If there is more than one Tenant, they are jointly and severally responsible under this agreement.

1. Property

The Landlord lets to the Tenant the dwelling at [address and postcode], with [list of rooms, parking, garden and contents in the inventory] (the "Property").

2. Type of Tenancy

This is an assured periodic tenancy under the Housing Act 1988 as amended. It starts on [start date] and runs from month to month. It has no fixed end date.

3. Rent

The rent is £[amount] per calendar month, payable in advance on the [day] of each month by [bank transfer to account [details]]. Any change to the rent will follow the procedure set by law.

4. Deposit

The Tenant will pay a deposit of £[amount]. The Landlord will protect it in [name of government-approved tenancy deposit scheme] within 30 days and give the Tenant the prescribed information.

5. Bills

The Tenant pays council tax, gas, electricity, water, broadband and TV licence, unless listed here as included: [list].

6. Tenant Obligations

The Tenant will use the Property as a private home, keep it clean, report repairs promptly, not cause nuisance to neighbours, and allow access for repairs and inspections with at least 24 hours written notice except in an emergency.

7. Landlord Obligations

The Landlord will keep the structure, exterior, installations for water, gas, electricity, heating and sanitation in repair, and meet gas safety, electrical safety, smoke and carbon monoxide alarm requirements.

8. Pets

The Tenant may ask in writing to keep a pet. The Landlord will not unreasonably refuse and will reply within the time set by law. [Agreed pets: [details].]

9. Ending the Tenancy

The Tenant may end the tenancy by giving the notice required by law in writing. The Landlord may end it only on the grounds and by the procedure set by law.

10. Notices

Notices may be sent by post to the addresses above or by email to [landlord email] and [tenant emails].

11. Electronic Signature

The parties agree to sign this agreement electronically.

Landlord

Name: [name]

Signature: ______________

Date: [date]

Tenant

Name: [name]

Signature: ______________

Date: [date]

What the template includes

  • Landlord, tenants and address for notices
  • Property, rooms and inventory
  • Assured periodic tenancy with no fixed end date
  • Monthly rent, due date and changes by legal procedure
  • Deposit and the scheme that protects it
  • Who pays council tax and bills
  • Tenant duties and notice for access
  • Landlord repair and safety duties
  • Pet requests
  • Ending the tenancy by notice or legal grounds
  • How notices are sent

What you fill in

FieldExample
LandlordFiona Walsh
TenantsOliver Grant and Amira Haddad
Property2-bed flat, 17 Rosebery Road, Manchester M14 6AA
Start date1 December 2026
Rent£1,150 per calendar month, due on the 1st
Deposit£1,320 in the Deposit Protection Service
Included billsWater
PetsOne cat agreed

How it gets signed

  1. 1Choose «Use this template», fill in the fields and review the full tenancy agreement.
  2. 2Send it by WhatsApp or email. The other party opens the link on their phone without an account.
  3. 3They tap the brown bar at the bottom that says «Sign as …» and draw their signature once.
  4. 4Everyone gets the signed PDF with its signature certificate. Anyone can check it at signsolu.com/verificar.

What you get once everyone signs

  • The signed PDF. The final tenancy agreement with every drawn signature in place.
  • The signature certificate. It lists each signer and the date and time of each signature.
  • A record you can check. The folio on the certificate opens the document history at signsolu.com/verificar.
  • Reminders. Turn them on and SignSolú reminds every signer who has not signed yet.

Your first ten documents are free and need no card.

What the law says

The government guide on tenancy agreements explains the change. On 1 May 2026, all assured tenancies, including assured shorthold tenancies, became rolling tenancies. An assured periodic tenancy cannot have an end date and cannot run for more than a month at a time.

The landlord must protect a money deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days, as the deposit protection guide explains.

Landlords had to give existing tenants the Renters' Rights Act information sheet by 31 May 2026. Check that page for when it still applies.

Under section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000, an electronic signature is admissible as evidence of the signature and of the agreement. This template covers England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own tenancy laws.

What changed for assured shorthold tenancies

People still search for an AST because that was the standard tenancy in England for decades. Since 1 May 2026, new private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies.

Fixed terms of six or twelve months no longer apply. The tenancy rolls month to month until it ends by notice or on a legal ground.

Existing ASTs changed automatically on that date. Any end date in an old agreement no longer applies, and nobody had to sign anything for the change.

This template is written for the new rules. Use it for new tenancies and to replace old AST paperwork with a current agreement.

What a written agreement still does

A tenancy can be written or oral. If it is oral, the landlord must still give the key terms in writing.

A written agreement signed by everyone avoids arguments over rent, bills and repairs. It is also what the deposit scheme and any tribunal will read first.

Every adult tenant signs. Joint tenants are each responsible for the full rent.

Landlord checklist before the tenant moves in

  1. 1Signed tenancy agreement from every tenant.
  2. 2Deposit protected within 30 days, with the prescribed information.
  3. 3Gas safety certificate, electrical safety report and energy performance certificate.
  4. 4Working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms where required.
  5. 5Signed inventory with photos of each room.
  6. 6Right to rent checks for every adult tenant.

Common mistakes

Using an old AST with a fixed term. The end date will not apply. Use an agreement written for periodic tenancies.

Late deposit protection. Missing the 30-day deadline can lead to penalties. Protect the deposit the week it arrives.

No inventory. Deposit disputes are decided on evidence. Photos and a signed inventory make the case.

Signing with tenants who are not nearby

Tenants often move from another city or country. Send each one a link by WhatsApp or email.

Each tenant signs from the phone with a drawn signature. Everyone receives the same signed PDF with its certificate.

Send the signed inventory the same way. Landlord and tenants then hold matching records from the first day.

Before you sign

Other templates

Frequently asked questions

Can I still use an assured shorthold tenancy agreement in England?

No, not for new tenancies. Since 1 May 2026 they are assured periodic tenancies. Existing ASTs became rolling tenancies on that date.

Is a tenancy agreement signed online valid in the UK?

Yes. Section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000 makes electronic signatures admissible as evidence. Tenancy agreements are commonly signed this way.

Can the tenancy have a fixed end date?

No. An assured periodic tenancy runs month to month with no end date.

Does the deposit still need to be protected?

Yes. Money deposits go into a government-approved scheme within 30 days.

Does this template work in Scotland or Wales?

No. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own tenancy laws and forms.

Does the other party need a SignSolú account?

No. They open the link on their phone and sign with the brown bar at the bottom.

Can I edit the clauses before sending it?

Yes. After «Use this template» you can change any clause before you send it.

See also

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