Tenancy agreement template – free download

What is a tenancy agreement?

A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. It outlines the terms and conditions of the rental arrangement, including the rights and responsibilities of both parties. In the UK, this document is crucial because it serves as a legal reference point if disputes arise. Whether you’re renting out a room, a flat, or a house, a tenancy contract ensures that both the landlord and tenant are clear on what is expected.

You may have also heard a tenancy agreement referred to as:

• Tenancy contract
• Rental agreement
• Letting agreement
• Rental contract
• Residential agreement
• Landlord agreement
• Short-term tenancy agreement
• Assured shorthold tenancy agreement (AST)
• Occupation contract (used specifically in Wales)

Why you need a tenancy agreement

A tenancy agreement is not just a formality; it is an essential document that offers numerous benefits:

Legal protection: It safeguards both the landlord and tenant by clearly stating the terms of the rental arrangement. In case of any disputes, the agreement serves as a legal document that can be referred to.

Clarifies rights and responsibilities: It outlines the duties of both the landlord and the tenant, helping to prevent misunderstandings about issues like rent payments, repairs, and property maintenance.

Prevents disputes: A well-drafted rental agreement helps to avoid conflicts by setting clear expectations from the get-go.

What should be included in a rental agreement?

A standard tenancy agreement contract template UK should include the following:

Landlord and tenant details, including full names and contact information.

Details about the property being rented, such as the address and any included furnishings.

The tenancy term, including the start and end date. It should also specify whether the tenancy is for a fixed term (e.g., 12 months) or is a periodic tenancy (rolling monthly).

Payment details, such as the amount of rent, payment frequency, due dates, and acceptable payment methods.

Security deposit information; how it will be protected, and the conditions for its return.

Utility Responsibilities: Indicate who is responsible for paying utility bills (e.g., gas, electricity, water).

Rights and obligations for both parties, including property maintenance and access rights.

Termination conditions describing the conditions under which the tenancy can be terminated, and the appropriate notice periods.

A standard tenancy contract template can be tailored to include specific rules for tenants, such as policies on smoking, pets, and subletting, as well as guidelines for landlords on matters like rent increases, property access, and conducting inspections.

Our tenancy contract template allows you to customise the terms of the agreement to suit your specific needs.

Who needs to sign a tenancy contract?

All parties involved must sign the tenancy contract for it to be legally binding.

For someone to be legally recognised as a tenant and responsible for paying rent, they must sign the tenancy agreement. In the case where multiple tenants are renting a property, such as with student lets, all of their names and signatures must be included in the document.

Adults residing in the rental property who have not signed the tenancy agreement are considered occupants, not tenants. Similarly, any children living in the property are also regarded as occupants.

Can you change a rental agreement?

After a rental contract has been signed, it’s possible to make changes with a lease addendum.

A lease addendum is a simple document that you add to an existing tenancy contract to make changes or add new terms without having to rewrite the entire lease. It’s like an extra page that both the landlord and tenant agree to and sign, making the new terms officially part of the original lease.

Is a tenancy agreement legally binding?

Yes, a tenancy agreement contract becomes legally binding once all parties have signed it.

Signing your tenancy agreements electronically with Signable helps to speed up the process and move tenants in faster. We offer a range of features to help get the job done smoothly, such as choice of signing sequence, and pre-fillable fields.

Pre-fillable fields allow you to add pre-filled information such as your tenants’ names, addresses, dates, etc., into your document template for a fast and personalised signing experience.

The video below explains how to set up a pre-fillable field and what it looks like on your end as well as the signer’s.