S S T C N A R O T C & CON what about my tenancy agreement (contract)?
what is an assured shorthold tenancy agreement?
Students moving into private rented accommodation will almost always have Assured Shorthold Tenancies.
• The tenant must be an individual occupying the property as their only or main home. • The landlord, or any of his family, don’t share with you. • Can be for any period of time. • Can be written or verbal.
If the type of agreement you have is not mentioned in this leaflet, contact the Accommodation Service or Students’ Union Advice & Information Centre for further information. If you don’t understand the Tenancy Agreement (Contract) don’t sign it. The University produces SASSH approved Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreements (Contracts) for use by tenants and landlords of properties advertised through the Accommodation Service. If your landlord doesn’t already have one they are available from the Student Services Centre free of charge. If your landlord doesn’t use this get their contract checked by SUAIC or the Accommodation Service.
Although assured shorthold tenancies can be created verbally, students are advised to insist on a written agreement to avoid subsequent confusion over what has been agreed. If a verbal agreement is made, tenants have the right to later ask for a written statement confirming the date the tenancy began, the level of rent and the date(s) on which it is payable, the length of the tenancy and the tenant’s right to ask for a rent review. The landlord must provide this statement within 28 days of receiving the request. If you do not have a written agreement you will have the same rights and obligations as an assured shorthold tenant. In addition you and the landlord will both be bound by the terms of the verbal agreement. For example, if you agree that you will pay £300 rent on the first of every month to the landlord and fail to do so, you will be in breach of the agreement. It is not recommended that you enter into a verbal agreement. Even though you are legally bound by the agreement it is almost impossible to prove what was agreed.
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