How long is a short assured tenancy

The calls have been consistent with 5 years with reasons, even though it is not the most common length found in these agreements. Because assured shorthold tenancies are meant to be for short periods, the agreements usually cover between 6 months and 3 years. The length is agreed upon by the tenant and the landlord. However, there have been cases where agents have refused a letting agreement that was longer than 3 years, even after the landlord and tenant have agreed to it.

Their reason may be because, if an assured shorthold tenancy agreement is to be renewed, there would be no need for another agreement to be drawn up if the new term is 3 years or less.

It simply is a statutory tenancy. This gives them the flexibility to remove the tenant with the much less non fault based method of possession through a Section 21 Notice at the end of the fixed term tenancy.

We provide users with a free Section 21 Notice. The reason being is that the Housing Act directs the judge to give possession to the landlord. I have heard of cases where some judges give the tenant over a month to vacate the property after the date that possession was sort, although it is more normal for the judge to allow between days for the tenant to move out. The average length of a tenancy is 9 months. Therefore in many ways it makes sense for a landlord to grant a slightly longer tenancy.

One of my longstanding tenants always likes a 9 month tenancy. The advantage to a landlord is that it cuts down on the paper work of having to renew a fixed term tenancy every 6 months.

A longer term tenancy can be advantageous to some landlords in the respect that in periods of low rental demand, when they expect rents to fall; it protects your rental level for a longer period. Conversely, when rents are rising, a long term fixed term means that your rent could well drop behind the market. By presenting yourself as amenable to a longer term tenancy, you may be more successful in attracting a long term tenant. This is certainly always my goal.

Long term tenants mean less chance of costly voids and a greater likelihood that you will not get a tenant who fails to pay the rent.

Long term tenancies give a chance for you to develop a relationship and trust with your tenants and that certainly makes the day to day management of the property and tenancy so much easier.

Another aspect of the longer term tenancy is if you are having your tenancy managed by a letting agent. Now letting agents love 6 month fixed term assured shorthold tenancies. Not only can they charge the landlord a renewal charge but they will often try and fleece the tenant too. Arguably they are only doing what the landlord wants and are maintaining the tenancy. Make sure that as the landlord that this is what YOU want at the outset. If not make sure they know that you are happy to agree a longer tenancy or that you would like to see the tenancy run on to be a statutory periodic tenancy.

My preferred option would be to go for a hybrid approach. Grant your tenant a 6 month tenancy. If you want to leave, you can usually end your tenancy by moving out and returning the keys by the end of the fixed term. Check your contract to see if you have to give notice that you're leaving. If you're a joint tenant you need to discuss what you want to do with the other tenants.

You don't have to leave just because the landlord tells you to or because your fixed term contract has ended. The landlord must follow eviction procedures unless you agree to go. They must give you notice and then get a court order to evict you. Ask the council for help if you're facing eviction. They are small text files. You can read our cookie policy for more information. Some are necessary for our website to work properly, while others provide information that helps us improve your experience.

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To only allow the cookies that make the site work, click 'Use essential cookies only. Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Short assured tenancies always last a fixed length of time at least six months. Only tenants that moved in before 1 December may still be on a short assured tenancy. If you want your tenant to leave at the end of a short assured tenancy, they have to do so and you do not have to give a reason.

The notice to quit is written notice that you want to end the tenancy and want your tenant to move out of the property. Since December , eviction cases are now dealt with by the Tribunal rather than the Sheriff Court. Any notice to quit you serve, must make it clear that the case will be dealt with by the Tribunal and must comply with the current regulations.