Private tenancy agreements
This guide is for private assured tenants.
From 1 May 2026 most renters have this tenancy type.
Check your tenancy type if you need to.
Agreements from before the Renters' Rights Act
The Renters' Rights Act changed the law for private tenants from 1 May 2026.
Some parts of your agreement might not apply now.
Your new tenancy type
Most private renters now have an assured tenancy.
Your tenancy agreement might say 'assured shorthold tenancy' (AST) if you signed it before 1 May 2026.
But most private tenancies automatically became assured on 1 May 2026.
Table: Your new rights
This table tells you about your new rights if you have a private assured tenancy.
| What your old agreement might say | Your new tenancy rights from 1 May 2026 |
|---|---|
| You have a fixed term that ends on a set date. | Your tenancy is periodic with no set end date. |
| Your tenancy can be ended with a 'break clause'. | The break clause cannot be used. Your landlord has to use a section 8 notice. |
| Your rent can go up with a 'rent review clause'. | Your landlord can only increase your rent once a year. They must use a section 13 notice. |
| You can end your tenancy by giving 1 month's notice. | You usually have to give 2 months' notice unless your landlord agrees to a shorter notice period in writing. |
| You cannot have a pet. | You can ask for permission to have a pet. Your landlord can only refuse if it's reasonable. |
Should you get a new agreement?
Your landlord does not have to give you a new tenancy agreement on 1 May 2026.
But they have until 31 May 2026 to give you either:
the Renters' Rights Act information sheet on GOV.UK if you already have a written contract
written information about your tenancy if you do not have a written contract
If your landlord says the new laws do not apply
Most private tenancies changed on 1 May 2026.
Show your landlord the GOV.UK guidance.
Do any private renters still have ASTs?
You could still have an assured shorthold tenancy if your landlord gave you an eviction notice before 1 May 2026.
More on:
If your fixed term ends after 1 May 2026
Your tenancy became periodic from 1 May 2026, even if your agreement says the fixed term ends after this date.
Your tenancy continues until you or your landlord end it. You do not need to sign a new agreement.
From 1 May 2026, your landlord cannot force you to sign a fixed term agreement. Your tenancy is periodic even if you sign a fixed term contract after this date.
If you planned to leave on the last day of your fixed term
Ask your landlord if you can still end your tenancy on that date.
If your landlord says yes, get their agreement in writing.
If your landlord says no, you probably have to give 2 months' notice to end your tenancy.
This is because you now have a periodic assured tenancy.
You can only give less than 2 months' notice if your landlord agrees to this in writing.
In a joint tenancy, you can only agree a shorter notice period with your landlord if all the tenants agree.
More on how to end your tenancy.
Example: Ending a tenancy after 1 May 2026
Leroy signed a fixed term tenancy agreement before 1 May 2026.
His agreement ends on 1 August 2026. Leroy is planning to move out on that day.
Leroy's tenancy became periodic on 1 May 2026.
He needs to give his landlord 2 months' notice by 1 June 2026. He should send it a few days early to make sure his landlord gets it in time.
If Leroy wants to move out before 1 August, he can ask his landlord to accept a shorter notice. Leroy can only give his landlord less than 2 months notice if the landlord agrees.
Private tenancies that have not changed
Your tenancy agreement stays the same if:
your landlord lives in a separate flat in a converted house
you have a regulated tenancy which started before 15 January 1989
your rent is more than £100,000 a year
Check your tenancy type if you are not sure what yours is.
Last updated: 13 May 2026
