Most of your rights as a tenant depend on the type of tenancy you have.

Your tenancy agreement will often say the tenancy type on the front page.

You probably have an assured shorthold tenancy if:

• you're a private tenant

• you do not live with your landlord

You might have another type of tenancy if:

• you're a property guardian

• your job comes with a place to live

• you live in student halls of residence

• your landlord lives in the same building as you

Your written agreement

There is no standard form for a tenancy agreement.

GOV.UK has a model tenancy agreement but your landlord might not use it.

Many tenancy agreements use legal language. Ask your landlord if you're not sure about some words. You could also ask a housing adviser or renters' union.

You usually count as a tenant if you pay rent even if you do not have a written tenancy agreement. Ask for a written agreement if you do not have one.

Most of your rights do not come from your contract

This is because most tenancy rights come from housing law.

Your tenancy agreement might give you extra rights but it should not take away your rights.

If you think you have the wrong type of agreement

Some landlords try to give out licence agreements to assured shorthold tenants.

This is because people with licences have fewer rights and can be evicted more easily.

Your landlord cannot take away your rights by:

• giving you the wrong type of tenancy agreement

• writing the wrong tenancy type on your agreement