Agreements for Landlords & Sole Traders

To make a valid rental agreement in the UK, you should use a written tenancy contract (usually an Assured Shorthold Tenancy in England and Wales) that clearly states the landlord’s and tenant’s details, the property address, the rent amount and payment terms, the deposit, the start date, and the responsibilities of each party. Both landlord and tenant must sign it, and the landlord must provide legally required documents such as [SB1] a Gas Safety Certificate, EPC, and electrical safety report. If a deposit is taken, it must be protected in a government-approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days.

The best tenancy agreement for most landlords in the UK is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). This is the standard and most practical type of contract for renting out residential property in England and Wales. An AST gives landlords sensible flexibility, allows rent and deposit terms to be clearly set out, and provides lawful routes to regain possession (such as Section 21 or Section 8, where applicable).

The most common tenancy agreement in the UK is the Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). ASTs set out the rent, deposit, responsibilities, and terms of the tenancy, and they give landlords clear legal routes to regain possession.

A fixed-term tenancy offers landlords stability with guaranteed rent for a set period, while a periodic tenancy provides flexibility to regain possession and adjust rent more easily. Many landlords use a fixed term first, then switch to periodic.

A tenancy agreement should state the landlord and tenant details, property, rent, deposit, tenancy length, and responsibilities. It must also cover safety compliance and be signed by both parties.