Understanding your tenancy agreement
A recent survey by law firm Weightmans has revealed only 24% of tenants read their tenancy agreement before signing.
Tenancy agreements are legally binding contracts between you (the tenant) and your landlord, outlining the terms and conditions of your tenancy and ensuring both parties understand their rights and responsibilities.
Whether you are renting for the first time, have rented previously or are just moving to a new rental property, understanding what a tenancy agreement is and the information it contains is vital. Legislation surrounding tenancy agreements changes frequently, so it is important to read your agreement in full each time you sign a new one.
Types of Tenancy Agreements
Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) is the most common type of tenancy in the UK for private rentals. It is a periodic tenancy (rolling from month to month) and has no fixed end date and can only be ended by the landlord under specific conditions and offer tenants more security.
Another, less common type, is a Non-Housing Act Tenancy which covers situations including a company wanting to rent a property, holiday lets and lets where the landlord is resident.
Key Terms
Legal documents like tenancy agreements often include jargon that can make the documents difficult to understand. Here are the key terms which regularly appear in tenancy agreements and what they mean:
Rent - Clearly explains the amount of money due, when it is payable and how it should be paid.
Deposit - Explains the amount of money you are required to pay upfront, how it will be protected and under what conditions the landlord may raise a claim against it at the end of the tenancy.
Responsibilities - Outlines who is responsible for maintenance, repairs and other costs associated with the property i.e. window cleaning, chimney sweeping etc. These clauses also normally outline the dos and don’ts that you will agree to.
Landlord obligations - This outlines the landlord’s obligations in terms of making sure they are complying with legislation, safety and ensuring they are allowing quiet enjoyment of the property. It will also cover things like inspections and notice periods for access.
Additional clauses - Sometimes additional clauses are also inserted, as points have been agreed between the tenant and landlord which may contradict the standard clauses contained within the agreement.
A common example of this is gardening. The tenancy may suggest it is the tenant's responsibility to mow the lawn, weed the borders and trim the hedges. However, if the landlord has an existing gardener, it may be agreed that they wish to continue using their gardener rather than the tenant being responsible. In this instance, a clause may be added to cover this and will also refer to access, frequency and who will be covering the cost.
Termination - Details the notice period required by both parties to end the tenancy.
Your Rights and Responsibilities
Pay your rent on time and in full. If the rent due date doesn’t quite work, talk to us about whether there is an option for this to be changed.
Take care of the property and report any maintenance issues promptly. Something that may seem small could be having more of an impact than you think, leading to further costs for the landlord to repair.
Allow your landlord or their agent access for inspections and repairs with proper notice. When we fully manage a tenancy, we agree to visit the property as part of the service provided. This is designed to help both the tenant and landlord, as we can see how the property is being looked after, view and monitor any maintenance issues and discuss future plans.
In summary, your tenancy agreement is a vital document that protects both you and your landlord. By understanding its terms and conditions, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free renting experience.
We always suggest you make time to read through the entire tenancy agreement in full before signing, as a rushed signature can lead to critical details being missed that might have a significant impact further along in the tenancy.
Still confused about the information in your agreement? Reach out to your local Redbrik lettings team and let us help you fully understand your tenancy agreement before you sign.
You can read more about renting with Redbrik here →
Call us on 0114 361 0140 or email lettings@redbrik.co.uk
Redbrik. Your place for property.