Your renting agreement has important information about your tenancy. For example:

• the tenancy start date

• how much rent you pay

• when payments are due

• rules in your accommodation

• what to do if there's a problem

Getting a copy of your agreement

Keep your renting agreement somewhere safe so you can check it if you need to.

If you sign the agreement online, you should be able to download a copy.

If you sign a paper copy of the agreement, you should get a copy of this either:

• when you sign the agreement

• when you pay any rent in advance, holding deposit or tenancy deposit

You can ask for a paper copy in writing. The accommodation provider should send it to you within 5 days.

Fixed term contracts

A fixed term contract has a set end date. For example, you might have a fixed term from 1 September to 30 June.

If you live in university halls, you probably have a fixed term contract.

If you live in private halls, you probably have a fixed term contract if both:

• you agreed the contract on or after 1 May 2026

• your accommodation provider is signed up to the National Code

Check if your accommodation provider is a member on the National Code website.

You normally move out when the agreement ends.

If you do not leave at the end of a fixed term, your accommodation provider can apply for a court order to evict you. They cannot just change the locks or remove your belongings.

Find out when you could end your fixed term contract early.

Assured tenancies in private halls of residence

You might have an assured tenancy in either of these situations:

• you signed your agreement or moved in before 1 May 2026

• your accommodation provider is not signed up to the National Code

An assured tenancy is a rolling tenancy. It means you do not have a fixed term contract.

You can end your agreement by giving 2 months' notice in writing.

More on:

• your rights in a private assured tenancy

• how to end a private assured tenancy