Tenancy agreement language has changed
Many landlords still say AST because assured shorthold tenancy has been the familiar term for years. After the 2026 reforms, landlords should check current rules before relying on old templates.
England and Wales also have different rental frameworks. This guide is a practical checklist, not legal advice.
The basics every agreement should make clear
A tenancy agreement should remove doubt. It should identify the parties, the property and the core financial terms in plain language.
- Landlord and tenant names and contact details.
- Property address and any included areas.
- Rent amount, payment frequency and payment method.
- Deposit amount and protection arrangements.
- Start date and any current tenancy structure rules.
- Who pays which bills and council tax where relevant.
Repairs, access and responsibilities
The agreement should explain repair reporting, access for inspections, garden responsibilities, pets, smoking, subletting and any property-specific rules.
Keep terms practical. Overly aggressive clauses can be unenforceable or create tension before the tenancy starts.
Fees and banned payments
The Tenant Fees Act restricts what tenants can be required to pay. GOV.UK guidance on tenant fees should be checked before adding charges or conditions.
If you are unsure whether a payment is permitted, get advice before including it.
Use the right agreement for the property
Do not copy an old agreement from another property without review. The rent, deposit, property type, furnished status, licensing, country and legal date all matter.
PropertyAdverts can support the advertising and tenant journey, but landlords should use a current agreement that fits the tenancy being created.
How to use this before you advertise
Use this guide as a pre-advertising check, not as a substitute for current legal advice. Landlords have to balance speed, compliance and applicant quality, especially when rules or tenant expectations change.
A fixed-fee advert can reduce marketing cost, but it does not remove the landlord responsibilities around safety, fair selection, tenancy paperwork or ongoing management. Keep those decisions separate from the advert package itself.
- Check current GOV.UK guidance where the topic involves legal duties.
- Prepare compliance documents before you accept a tenant.
- Use enquiry quality and referencing evidence rather than guesswork.
- Use the landlord route when the property is ready to advertise.
Common landlord questions
Should I check this before advertising?
Yes. If tenancy agreement explained affects legal readiness, rent, tenant selection or paperwork, check it before you accept an applicant. Advertising is faster when the landlord is prepared.
Does PropertyAdverts replace landlord legal advice?
No. PropertyAdverts supports advertising, enquiries and optional tenant services. Landlords remain responsible for legal compliance, property safety and choosing a suitable tenancy process.
Can I add tenant services after the advert?
Yes. Referencing and tenancy tools are most useful once there is a serious applicant. Keeping them separate from the advert helps you avoid paying for extras too early.
What if the rules change again?
Check current GOV.UK guidance before relying on old templates or old advice. Rental rules have changed recently, so stale checklists can create risk.
Where should I go next?
If Tenancy agreements explained: what landlords should include answers your planning question, prepare the advert details and choose the landlord package that gives the portal reach you need.
Advertising first? Use PropertyAdverts landlords to find applicants, then move into agreement preparation once the tenant is chosen.