Is a tenancy agreement a legal contract?

Yes. It is a contract between landlord and tenant setting out each side's rights and obligations, sitting alongside rights given by statute.

Do I need a written tenancy agreement?

A tenancy can exist without one, but under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 landlords in England must give tenants written information about the tenancy. Wales and Scotland also require written terms.

Are fixed term tenancies still allowed in England?

No. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 assured tenancies in England become periodic, rolling month to month or week to week.

Can a tenancy agreement be signed online?

Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid for residential tenancy agreements in the UK.

What does PCM mean on a tenancy agreement?

PCM means per calendar month, the rent due each month.

Landlord guide · UK

What is a tenancy agreement?

A tenancy agreement is the contract that lets a tenant live in a property in return for rent. It sets out the rent, the deposit, who does what, and how the tenancy can end. The rules behind it differ in each UK nation, and in England the Renters' Rights Act 2025 has changed what agreements can say.

Putting an agreement in place

1
Identify the right tenancy type
England uses assured periodic tenancies under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, Scotland the private residential tenancy, Wales the occupation contract, and Northern Ireland the private tenancy.
2
Record the core terms
Names of landlord and tenants, property address, rent, payment day, deposit and scheme, start date, and who is responsible for bills and repairs.
3
Avoid unfair or banned terms
Terms that breach consumer law, charge banned fees or restrict lawful rights are unenforceable.
4
Sign and give each party a copy
Both sides should sign and keep a copy. E-signatures are valid for tenancy agreements in the UK.

Tenancy types across the UK

England: assured periodic tenancy under the Housing Act 1988 as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025.
Scotland: private residential tenancy under the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.
Wales: occupation contract under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
Northern Ireland: private tenancy under the Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

What changed with the Renters' Rights Act 2025

In England fixed terms are replaced by periodic tenancies, Section 21 is abolished, rent increases go through Section 13 once a year, and tenants can request a pet, which landlords cannot unreasonably refuse. Older templates that include fixed terms or no fault break clauses need replacing.

How RentDocs.co.uk helps

Agreements for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prefilled from your property records.
E-signatures for landlord and tenants with an audit certificate.
PDF and Word downloads.

Create the right agreement for each nation

RentDocs.co.uk costs £5 a month per property, with a free account to try it on one tenancy.

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Frequently asked questions

Is a tenancy agreement a legal contract?: Yes. It is a contract between landlord and tenant setting out each side's rights and obligations, sitting alongside rights given by statute.
Do I need a written tenancy agreement?: A tenancy can exist without one, but under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 landlords in England must give tenants written information about the tenancy. Wales and Scotland also require written terms.
Are fixed term tenancies still allowed in England?: No. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025 assured tenancies in England become periodic, rolling month to month or week to week.
Can a tenancy agreement be signed online?: Yes. Electronic signatures are legally valid for residential tenancy agreements in the UK.
What does PCM mean on a tenancy agreement?: PCM means per calendar month, the rent due each month.

Keep reading

This guide is general information and not legal advice.