Private tenancies

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland

Private tenants can have several different types of tenancy. Some of these give you more rights than others.

It's very important to know what kind of tenancy you have, as it can have a big impact on your rights. The vast majority of private tenants are assured shorthold tenants but it is possible that you have a different type of tenancy. It usually depends on the sort of accommodation you live in and when your tenancy started. You may not necessarily have the type of tenancy that your tenancy agreement, or your landlord, says you have.

For a summary of the different types of private tenancies, download a free Shelter housing advice booklet. You can also use our tenancy checker to confirm what type of tenancy you have, or download a booklet on renting from a private landlord from the Communities and Local Government website.

Checking the tenancy type

This section helps you to work out what sort of tenancy you have. It only applies to private tenants. You may have a different type of tenancy than you think! Read more 

Assured shorthold tenancies

This section explains the rights you have if you are an assured shorthold tenant with a private landlord. An assured shorthold tenancy gives you limited rights. Read more 

Assured tenancies

This section explains the rights you have if you are an assured tenant with a private landlord. Read more 

Regulated tenancies

You have very strong rights if you have a regulated tenancy with a private landlord. Read more 

Subtenants

Find out about the rights subtenants have, including if their landlord's tenancy ends. Read more 

Occupiers with basic protection

If you are an occupier with basic protection and you have a private landlord, you have limited rights. Read more 

Excluded occupiers

If you rent from a private landlord and are an excluded occupier (for example if you life in your landlord's home) you have very few tenancy rights. Read more 

Other types of tenancy

You have different rights if you rent a mobile home, or you work for a private landlord and your home comes as part of your job. Read more