What Should a Tenancy Agreement Include UK - Key Terms Tenants and Landlords Should Check

A tenancy agreement is an important document setting out the terms between a landlord and tenant. It should clearly explain how the property will be occupied, how rent and other payments work, and the responsibilities of both parties.

For new assured tenancies in England from 1 May 2026, landlords must provide tenants with written information covering key terms of the tenancy. This information can be included directly in a written tenancy agreement.

Names of the Landlord and Tenant

The agreement should clearly identify the landlord and every tenant covered by the tenancy.

It should also provide relevant contact details for the landlord or managing agent so the tenant knows who to contact about rent, repairs, maintenance and other property issues.

Where several tenants sign the same agreement, they may have joint responsibilities under the tenancy.

Property Address and Description

The full address of the rented property should be stated clearly.

Where relevant, the agreement should also clarify what is included in the tenancy, such as:

• The house or flat

• Parking spaces

• Gardens

• Storage areas

• Communal facilities

• Furnished items and appliances

This helps prevent disagreements about which parts of the property the tenant is entitled to use.

Rent and Payment Arrangements

The tenancy agreement should explain the amount of rent, when it is payable and how it should be paid.

It should also make clear any other agreed payments, such as certain utility costs, council tax arrangements or permitted charges.

For private assured periodic tenancies in England, rent is generally paid at regular intervals, such as weekly or monthly.

Deposit Details

If a tenancy deposit is required, the agreement should state the amount and explain the relevant arrangements.

For applicable private rented tenancies in England, a deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme. The agreement should make clear the tenant's obligations concerning the property and circumstances in which legitimate deductions could potentially arise.

Tenancy Type and Duration

The agreement should identify the type of tenancy and explain how it operates.

Since 1 May 2026, new assured private tenancies in England generally operate as assured periodic tenancies rather than fixed-term assured tenancies. These tenancies run on a rolling basis, such as weekly or monthly, rather than having a fixed end date.

Older written agreements may still contain terms from before these changes, so tenants and landlords should check how the current law affects them.

Notice and Ending the Tenancy

The agreement should explain how the tenant can give notice and any relevant requirements for ending the tenancy.

For current assured periodic tenancies in England, government guidance states that the tenancy agreement should explain how much notice the tenant must give.

Landlords should also follow the correct legal process when seeking possession rather than relying on a contractual clause that conflicts with housing law.

Repairs and Maintenance Responsibilities

A good tenancy agreement should clearly explain which responsibilities belong to the landlord and which belong to the tenant.

It can cover matters such as:

• Reporting repairs

• Keeping the property reasonably clean

• Looking after fixtures and appliances

• Garden maintenance

• Replacing lost keys

• Reporting damage

• Access for inspections and repairs

Clear responsibilities can reduce disputes during the tenancy.

Bills and Council Tax

The agreement should state who is responsible for relevant household costs.

Depending on the property and arrangement, this may include:

• Gas

• Electricity

• Water

• Broadband

• Council tax

• TV licence

• Other agreed services

If particular bills are included in the rent, this should be clearly stated rather than left ambiguous.

Rules About Pets, Subletting and Occupants

The agreement may contain terms covering pets, additional occupants, subletting and assignment of the tenancy.

However, contractual terms still need to comply with the law. A landlord cannot simply include an unlawful term and rely on it because it appears in a signed agreement.

Current private renting rules also contain specific provisions concerning requests to keep pets and other tenancy matters.

Property Condition and Inventory

For furnished or partly furnished properties, an inventory can record the condition of the property and its contents at the start of the tenancy.

Photographs and detailed descriptions can be particularly useful where there could later be a dispute over damage, cleaning or deposit deductions.

The tenant should check the inventory carefully and report inaccuracies promptly.

Landlord Access and Property Management

The agreement should explain how routine inspections, repairs and other access arrangements will be handled.

This can help establish a practical procedure for arranging access without unnecessarily disrupting the tenant.

Landlords and agents should still comply with applicable legal requirements rather than assuming every access clause in a tenancy agreement is automatically enforceable.

What Should Not Be Included?

A tenancy agreement should not contain terms that attempt to remove legal rights or impose unlawful charges.

Terms should comply with relevant housing, consumer protection and tenancy legislation. A tenant signing an agreement does not automatically make every clause legally enforceable.

This is particularly important when using older tenancy agreement templates that may no longer reflect current rental legislation.

Why a Clear Tenancy Agreement Matters

A well-prepared agreement gives both parties a clear written record of their responsibilities.

It can help prevent disagreements involving rent, repairs, deposits, access, property condition, bills and ending the tenancy. For landlords, using an outdated agreement can create unnecessary legal and management problems.

Fraser Bond can help landlords and property owners with professional property management, tenancy administration, maintenance coordination and wider property services across the UK.

How Fraser Bond Can Help

Managing a rental property involves more than simply finding a tenant. Landlords need accurate documentation, effective communication, maintenance coordination and proper handling of day-to-day property responsibilities.

Fraser Bond provides property management and property consultancy support, helping landlords and property owners manage their properties professionally and deal with practical tenancy-related matters.

If you are preparing a tenancy agreement, managing a rental property or dealing with a tenancy dispute, professional property support can help you avoid common administrative and management problems.