Assured Shorthold Tenancy | Guild of Residential Landlords

Download an assured shorthold tenancy via our exclusive Tenancy Builder.

An assured shorthold tenancy agreement is a legal document that sets out the terms and conditions of a private residential tenancy agreement between a landlord and a tenant. It is England's most common type of tenancy agreement and provides the landlord with greater security and peace of mind.

This type of agreement allows the landlord to take back possession of the property after a fixed period, typically six months, or when either party terminates the agreement. The contract can be for any length of time, but most are for at least six months. It is essential that landlords use an assured shorthold tenancy agreement to ensure they are protected and able to enforce their rights as landlords.

The downloadable document is a PDF and is suitable where the deposit is protected with DPS, Mydeposits or Deposit Protection Scheme (Dispute Service). It is also ideal if no deposit is taken, and a guarantor can be added (single or multiple).

You must not use this agreement for the following purposes:

If the rent is to be greater than £100,000 per annum
If the tenant is not to be an individual (e.g. company)
If it is not intended to be used by the tenant as their only or principal home
If the tenancy is under an earlier contract to the same tenants and the earlier agreement was made before 15 January 1989.
If the dwelling-house is in Greater London AND the rent payable is £1,000 or less a year or If the dwelling-house is not in Greater London AND the rent payable is £250 or less a year.
If the tenancy is for a business.
If the dwelling-house consists of or comprises premises licensed for selling intoxicating liquors for consumption on the premises.
If it is a tenancy under which agricultural land exceeding two acres is let together with the dwelling house.
If the tenancy is an agricultural holding.
If the purpose of the tenancy is the right to occupy for a holiday.
If the landlord is a Resident Landlord as defined in Schedule 1 Housing Act 1988.
If the tenant is to be a lodger, living with the landlord.
If the tenancy is to be granted by a private landlord under arrangements for the provision of support for asylum-seekers or dependants of asylum-seekers made under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Date	Update
04/10/2025	Added a term that after a valid notice to quit from the tenant, they must give vacant possession on or before the date specified in that notice. Fonts in some parts aligned with the main body text.
26/07/2025	Refined the Service of Notices term: - Clarified the rule for first-class/recorded post: “next-day” applies where the following day is not a public holiday. - Added provisions for last-known address and handling of notices that may have gone to a junk folder. - Included further clarification that service on one joint tenant is effective for all joint tenants. - Defined “public holiday” for clarity. - Streamlined the wording for better readability. Guarantor agreements have been updated to include a sentence confirming that if there is more than one guarantor, their liability is joint and several.
27/01/2025	A new clause was added that the tenant will increase the tenancy deposit apportionable if the rent is increased. A new clause was added stating that bleach or other corrosive products may not be used for cleaning except on certain items, such as toilets. The service of notices and documents term has been updated to match more closely with _[Khan v. D'Aubigny](https://england.landlordsguild.com/article/service-of-documents-lessons-from-khan-v-d-aubigny/)_ ([2025] EWCA Civ 11). (The previous clause was perfectly suitable under that case; this update is just an evolution of the earlier version).

Date

Update

04/10/2025

Added a term that after a valid notice to quit from the tenant, they must give vacant possession on or before the date specified in that notice. Fonts in some parts aligned with the main body text.

26/07/2025

Refined the Service of Notices term: - Clarified the rule for first-class/recorded post: “next-day” applies where the following day is not a public holiday. - Added provisions for last-known address and handling of notices that may have gone to a junk folder. - Included further clarification that service on one joint tenant is effective for all joint tenants. - Defined “public holiday” for clarity. - Streamlined the wording for better readability. Guarantor agreements have been updated to include a sentence confirming that if there is more than one guarantor, their liability is joint and several.

27/01/2025

A new clause was added that the tenant will increase the tenancy deposit apportionable if the rent is increased. A new clause was added stating that bleach or other corrosive products may not be used for cleaning except on certain items, such as toilets. The service of notices and documents term has been updated to match more closely with _[Khan v. D'Aubigny](https://england.landlordsguild.com/article/service-of-documents-lessons-from-khan-v-d-aubigny/)_ ([2025] EWCA Civ 11). (The previous clause was perfectly suitable under that case; this update is just an evolution of the earlier version).