Check your tenancy agreement
Your tenancy type
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
Use our tenancy checker to see what kind of tenancy you have.
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
Example: Wrong type of agreement
Your contract says 'lodger agreement' but you do not live with your landlord. This means that you are not a lodger.
You probably have an assured shorthold tenancy.
Last updated: 17 July 2024