Tenancy types 

This guide explains the different tenancy types.

The Renters’ Rights Act will change laws about renting and this guidance has been published to help private rented sector landlords and letting agents prepare. The new rules will apply on or from 1 May 2026. For information on the current law, refer to the existing tenancy types guidance.

On or from 1 May 2026 if you are letting as a private landlord, the tenancy will probably become an assured periodic tenancy.

A tenancy will be an assured periodic tenancy if all of the following apply:  

  • you do not live in the property  

  • the property is your tenants’ main accommodation  

  • tenants have their own room, but might share a bathroom or kitchen with other tenants  

A tenancy will not be an assured periodic tenancy if:  

  • you live in the property   

  • the property is purpose-built student accommodation, the tenants are university students, and you’ve signed up to the National Code

  • the tenancy has a fixed term of over 21 years  

  • the rent is more than £100,000 a year  

  • the rent is less than £250 a year (or less than £1,000 in London)  

  • it’s a business tenancy or tenancy of licensed premises  

  • the property is a holiday let  

Assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) 

All assured shorthold tenancies will automatically become assured periodic tenancies on or after 1 May 2026.  

If you had an assured shorthold tenancy before that date, you’ll have an assured periodic tenancy from that date. 

Other types of agreement 

There are other types of agreement, including:  

  • excluded tenancies or licences  

  • regulated tenancies  

  • agricultural tenancies or occupancies 

Excluded tenancies or licences    

If you have a lodger living in your home and share rooms with them, like a kitchen or bathroom, you may have an excluded tenancy or licence. This usually gives your lodger less protection from eviction than other types of agreement.  

Regulated tenancies  

Tenancies starting before 15 January 1989 may be regulated. Your tenants have increased protection from eviction and can apply for a ‘fair rent’. A ‘fair rent’ might be lower than the market rent. 

Check the rules on regulated tenancies.

Agricultural tenancies or occupancies  

Some agricultural workers are automatically entitled to an ‘assured agricultural occupancy’. These tenancies offer more security than assured tenancies as a tenant cannot be evicted just because the employment ends. 

To be an agricultural tenancy (or occupancy), the tenant needs to:    

  • have worked in agriculture for 91 of the previous 104 weeks for 35 hours a week (unless a work-related injury or disease prevented full-time work) 

  • have exclusive occupation of a separate dwelling under a tenancy (or licence) provided or arranged by the employer 

The tenant may be required to pay little or no rent under the tenancy (or licence agreement). 

Before the tenancy starts, you may give the tenant statutory notice that the tenancy will not be an assured agricultural occupancy.  

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