The Assured Shorthold Tenancy is designed to facilitate the letting of residential properties by private landlords or housing associations. It is used primarily when a landlord wishes to rent out a property while retaining the ability to regain possession at the end of a fixed term. The AST is structured to protect the rights of tenants during their stay while also safeguarding the landlord’s interests.

Please Note - As of 1 December 2022, ASTs are no longer applicable in Wales due to legislative changes introduced by the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Therefore, this tenancy model is now exclusively used for properties in England.

When using an AST, landlords must ensure they comply with all relevant legal requirements. This includes adhering to the Tenant Fees Act 2019, which restricts the types and amounts of payments landlords can request from tenants. Additionally, any deposit taken must be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme, and the tenant must be provided with the prescribed information within 30 days.

Moreover, landlords should be mindful of the proper procedures for serving notices to regain possession of the property, such as the Section 21 or Section 8 notices, ensuring that they follow the legal protocols to avoid disputes.

This Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement is in Microsoft Word format, written in plain English easy to use and edit. It provides a clear and legally sound structure for renting residential properties, it also contains specific provisions for a Guarantor to provide security to the landlord in the event the tenant defaults its obligation under the agreement.