Updated October 2026 · Fraser Bond
Unwritten tenancies
You can still be a tenant with full rights, even without paperwork
Verbaltenancies exist
Written termsrequired from 2026
Section 8needed to evict
Lodgersdifferent rules
In short: If you pay rent and have exclusive use of a home, you're likely to have a tenancy even without a written agreement. Since 1 May 2026, landlords in England must give tenants a written statement of terms, but the absence of one doesn't remove your rights. A landlord still needs a valid Section 8 ground and a court order to evict you. Lodgers who live with their landlord have far fewer rights.
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Can I be evicted without a tenancy agreement?
Only through the legal process: a valid notice, a court order and court enforcement.
Do I still have deposit protection?
Yes, if you're an assured tenant.
Is a verbal tenancy legal?
Yes, but the landlord must now provide written terms.
