Can this checklist help with an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement?

The checklist can support preparation of an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement, but the final document should be reviewed to ensure it suits the property and tenancy arrangement.

What property details should be included in a tenancy agreement?

You should confirm the full property address, type of property, included areas, furniture or appliances, and any shared or excluded spaces.

What rent details are needed for a tenancy agreement?

You should include the rent amount, payment frequency, payment due date, payment method, and any rules about late payment or rent increases.

Does the tenancy deposit need to be protected in the UK?

Yes. If a deposit is taken for an assured shorthold tenancy, it must usually be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme.

How long should a residential tenancy agreement last?

A tenancy agreement can specify a fixed term, such as 6 or 12 months, or set out terms for a periodic tenancy.

What clauses are commonly included in a UK tenancy agreement?

Common clauses cover rent, deposit, repairs, access, utilities, tenant obligations, landlord obligations, notice, pets, smoking, and ending the tenancy.

Should pets be mentioned in the tenancy agreement?

Not always, but written consent or restrictions should be clearly stated in the tenancy agreement to avoid disputes.

Should the tenancy agreement mention bills and council tax?

Yes. It should state who is responsible for utilities, council tax, internet, TV licence, and other household bills.

Are there legal requirements before a tenant moves in?

Yes. Landlords must comply with legal duties such as deposit protection, gas safety, electrical safety, right to rent checks, and providing required tenant information.

What is a right to rent check?

In England, landlords must usually check that adult occupiers have the legal right to rent before the tenancy starts.

Can I generate a tenancy agreement online?

Yes. Using an online generator can help create a residential rental agreement quickly once the checklist information is ready.

What is the difference between the checklist and the tenancy agreement?

The checklist helps you gather information. The tenancy agreement is the legal document setting out the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant.

Should I get legal advice before signing a tenancy agreement?

You should review the completed agreement carefully and consider legal advice if the tenancy is unusual or high value.

EN-GB>Residential>Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement>Tenancy Agreement Checklist | United Kingdom

Tenancy Agreement Preparation Checklist In The United Kingdom

Created: 5 Jun 2026

Use this checklist to prepare a clear, compliant tenancy agreement with fewer omissions. It helps landlords and tenants understand key details before creating an AI Generated British Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement (AST Agreement).

Information item	Importance	Why it matters	Example input	Usually known before move in
Parties
Landlord full legal name	Essential	Identifies who grants the tenancy and receives obligations.	ABC Lettings Ltd or Jane Smith	true
Landlord notice address in England or Wales	Essential	Rent is not due until a valid notice address is given.	10 High Street, Bristol BS1 1AA	true
Landlord company number	Recommended	Confirms the correct legal entity.	12345678	true
Managing agent name	Recommended	Clarifies who manages rent, repairs and notices.	Best Homes Lettings Ltd	true
Managing agent contact details	Recommended	Gives the tenant a clear contact for property issues.	repairs@example.com, 020 7000 0000	true
Tenant full legal names	Essential	Identifies who is bound by the tenancy.	John Patel and Aisha Khan	true
Tenant current address	Recommended	Useful for referencing and pre-tenancy correspondence.	Flat 2, 4 Queen Road, Leeds LS1 2AB	true
Tenant email addresses	Recommended	Supports communication and electronic signing.	john@example.com aisha@example.com	true
Tenant phone numbers	Optional	Helps urgent contact for access or emergencies.	07700 900123	true
Confirmation each tenant is aged 18 or over	Essential	Minors cannot usually hold a legal tenancy directly.	All tenants are 18 or over	true
Guarantor full name	Recommended	Identifies who guarantees tenant obligations.	Michael Khan	true
Guarantor address	Recommended	Needed for guarantor deed and notice contact.	22 Station Road, York YO1 3CD	true
Property
Full property address	Essential	Defines the premises being let.	Flat 5, 20 King Street, Manchester M1 1AB	true
Property type	Recommended	Helps tailor clauses for flats, houses or rooms.	Two-bedroom flat	true
Letting type	Essential	Distinguishes exclusive possession from shared occupation.	Whole property tenancy	true
Let room description	Essential	Identifies the exclusive room in a shared property.	Bedroom 3 on first floor	true
Shared areas included	Recommended	Clarifies rights to kitchens, bathrooms and gardens.	Kitchen, bathroom, hallway and rear garden	true
Excluded areas	Recommended	Prevents disputes over access to locked or retained areas.	Loft and locked garage cupboard excluded	true
Furnished status	Recommended	Sets expectations about supplied furniture and contents.	Part-furnished	true
Inventory and condition schedule	Recommended	Evidence for deposit deductions and property condition.	Inventory dated 1 September 2026 attached	true
Keys and access devices supplied	Recommended	Records items to return at tenancy end.	2 front door keys, 1 fob, 1 mailbox key	true
Term
Tenancy start date	Essential	Sets when possession and obligations begin.	1 September 2026	true
Fixed term end date	Essential	Defines the initial contractual term.	31 August 2027	true
Tenancy type confirmation	Essential	Confirms the agreement is intended as an AST.	Assured shorthold tenancy in England	true
Periodic tenancy arrangement after fixed term	Recommended	Explains what happens if the tenant stays after expiry.	Monthly contractual periodic tenancy	true
Break clause date and notice period	Optional	Allows early termination if conditions are met.	Either party may break after 6 months on 2 months notice	true
Tenant notice period	Recommended	Clarifies how the tenant can end the tenancy.	At least one month ending on a rent period day	true
Landlord possession notice route	Recommended	AST possession usually requires statutory notice and court process.	Section 8 or Section 21 process may apply	true
Rent
Rent amount	Essential	States the tenant payment obligation.	£1,250 per calendar month	true
Rent payment frequency	Essential	Defines how often rent becomes due.	Monthly in advance	true
Rent due date	Essential	Makes late payment identifiable.	1st day of each month	true
First rent payment amount	Recommended	Handles advance rent or pro-rated first periods.	£1,500 covering 1 September to 30 September	true
Rent payment method	Recommended	Tells the tenant how to pay rent.	Standing order by bank transfer	true
Rent payment account details	Recommended	Avoids uncertainty about where rent must be paid.	Sort code 12-34-56, account 12345678	true
Late rent interest rate	Optional	Default fee rules restrict late rent interest charges.	3% above Bank of England base rate after 14 days overdue	true
Rent review clause	Optional	Explains if and how rent may increase.	Annual CPI-linked review on tenancy anniversary	true
Services included in rent	Recommended	Clarifies what the rent covers beyond occupation.	Broadband and communal cleaning included	true
Deposit
Tenancy deposit amount	Essential	Deposit caps apply to most assured shorthold tenancies.	£1,442.30	true
Annual rent for deposit cap	Essential	Cap is usually five weeks rent if annual rent is under £50,000.	£15,000 annual rent	true
Deposit protection scheme	Essential	AST deposits must be protected in an authorised scheme.	Tenancy Deposit Scheme insured scheme	true
Deposit prescribed information delivery	Essential	Must be given to the tenant and relevant person within 30 days.	Prescribed information to be served by email and post	false
Relevant person who paid deposit	Recommended	Prescribed information may need to be given to deposit payer.	Tenant parent paid the deposit	true
Permitted deposit deduction reasons	Recommended	Sets fair grounds for deductions at checkout.	Unpaid rent, damage, cleaning, missing keys	true
Holding deposit amount and treatment	Optional	Holding deposits are capped and repayment rules apply.	£288.46 to be applied to first rent payment	true
Utilities
Council tax responsibility	Essential	Clarifies who pays local authority council tax.	Tenant responsible for council tax	true
Electricity payment responsibility	Essential	States who pays electricity charges.	Tenant pays supplier directly	true
Gas payment responsibility	Essential	States who pays gas charges.	Tenant pays gas account	true
Water and sewerage responsibility	Essential	States who pays water and sewerage charges.	Tenant pays metered water charges	true
Broadband responsibility	Recommended	Avoids disputes about internet provision and cost.	Tenant arranges own broadband	true
TV licence responsibility	Recommended	Clarifies who arranges any required TV licence.	Tenant responsible if required	true
Opening meter readings	Recommended	Helps separate landlord and tenant utility usage.	Electricity 004512, gas 009871 on 1 September	false
Current utility suppliers	Optional	Helps tenants set up accounts or switch suppliers.	Electricity: Octopus Water: Thames Water	true
Service charge responsibility	Recommended	Clarifies whether building charges are included in rent.	Landlord pays building service charge	true
Occupancy
Maximum permitted occupiers	Essential	Controls overcrowding and unauthorised occupation.	Maximum 2 adults and 1 child	true
Named permitted occupiers	Recommended	Records residents who are not tenants.	Child: Sam Patel	true
Tenant main home confirmation	Essential	Assured tenancy status depends on occupation as only or principal home.	Tenant will occupy as their only or principal home	true
Subletting restriction	Recommended	Controls whether the tenant can grant occupation to others.	No subletting or Airbnb without written consent	true
Assignment restriction	Recommended	Prevents transfer of the tenancy without permission.	Assignment prohibited without landlord consent	true
Business use permission or restriction	Recommended	Keeps the letting residential and manages planning or insurance risk.	Home working allowed no business visitors or signage	true
Guest stay limits	Optional	Helps prevent unauthorised long-term occupation.	Guests may not stay over 14 nights in any 6 weeks	true
Special terms
Pet permission details	Recommended	Records whether animals are allowed and on what conditions.	One neutered indoor cat permitted	true
Smoking and vaping rules	Recommended	Protects property condition and manages nuisance risk.	No smoking or vaping inside the property	true
Parking space details	Optional	Defines any parking right and avoids neighbour disputes.	Allocated bay 12 included	true
Garden maintenance responsibility	Recommended	Allocates routine garden care and prevents neglect.	Tenant to mow lawn and weed borders	true
Cleaning standard at end of tenancy	Recommended	Sets condition expected when the tenant leaves.	Return in same cleanliness as check-in, fair wear excepted	true
Alterations and redecoration rules	Recommended	Controls changes to the property fabric or appearance.	No painting, drilling or fixtures without consent	true
Landlord access notice period	Recommended	Landlord has repair access rights after notice at reasonable times.	At least 24 hours written notice except emergencies	true
Repair reporting process	Recommended	Tells tenants how to report disrepair quickly.	Report repairs via repairs@example.com	true
Tenant routine maintenance duties	Recommended	Clarifies everyday care expected from the tenant.	Replace light bulbs and keep drains clear of misuse	true
Refuse and recycling rules	Optional	Reduces nuisance, pests and local authority issues.	Use council bins and follow collection schedule	true
Noise and nuisance restrictions	Recommended	Protects neighbours and supports enforcement against antisocial behaviour.	No unreasonable noise, nuisance or antisocial behaviour	true
Headlease or building rules	Recommended	Ensures tenant follows binding flat or estate restrictions.	Tenant must comply with building regulations attached	true
Insurance-related restrictions	Optional	Prevents tenant acts that could invalidate landlord insurance.	No candles left unattended or storage of flammable materials	true
Compliance
HMO status and licence details	Essential	Many HMOs need licensing and extra management controls.	Mandatory HMO licence number ABC123 expires 30 June 2028	true
Selective or additional licensing status	Recommended	Some council areas require licences beyond mandatory HMOs.	Selective licence applied for with Newham Council	true
Right to Rent check status	Essential	Landlords must check adult occupiers have the right to rent in England.	Checked passports for both adult tenants on 20 August 2026	true
Gas safety certificate date	Essential	Gas appliances need annual safety checks and records for tenants.	Certificate dated 10 August 2026	true
Electrical safety report date	Essential	Private rented electrical installations must be inspected at least every five years.	EICR satisfactory, dated 5 July 2026	true
Energy Performance Certificate rating	Essential	An EPC is generally required before marketing and letting.	EPC rating C, certificate expires 2031	true
Minimum energy efficiency compliance	Essential	Most private rentals need at least EPC E unless exempt.	EPC C, no exemption needed	true
Smoke alarm provision	Essential	Smoke alarms are required on each storey with living accommodation.	Smoke alarms on ground and first floors tested at check-in	true
Carbon monoxide alarm provision	Essential	CO alarms are required in rooms with fixed combustion appliances, except gas cookers.	CO alarm in living room with wood burner	true
How to Rent guide service	Essential	The current guide must be given to relevant AST tenants in England.	Latest How to Rent guide emailed before signing	true
Fitness for habitation confirmation	Essential	Homes must be fit for human habitation during the tenancy.	No known hazards making property unfit	true
Landlord repair obligations	Essential	Landlord must maintain structure, exterior and key installations.	Agreement preserves section 11 repair duties	true
Permitted payments only	Essential	The Tenant Fees Act bans most tenant fees in England.	No admin, check-in or renewal fees charged	true
Privacy notice or data handling statement	Recommended	Landlords handle personal data for checks and tenancy management.	Privacy notice supplied with application pack	true
Fairness review for special clauses	Recommended	Unfair consumer terms may be unenforceable.	No one-sided penalty or blanket consent refusal clauses	true

What Information Do You Need Before Creating A UK Tenancy Agreement?

For an Assured Shorthold Tenancy in England, the most important details to confirm before drafting are the parties, property address, term, rent, deposit and permitted occupiers. Missing or vague information in these areas can make the agreement harder to enforce and may create disputes about who is liable, what is included, when rent is due, or when the tenancy starts and ends.

Which Tenancy Agreement Details Have Legal Compliance Consequences?

Deposit protection, prescribed information, Right to Rent checks, gas safety, electrical safety, Energy Performance Certificate and the How to Rent guide are key compliance items for many residential tenancies in England. Failure to deal with these correctly can affect possession claims, expose the landlord to penalties, or create enforcement risk.

What Should Landlords Decide Before Move In?

Landlords should settle rent payment details, deposit amount and scheme, utility responsibilities, any permitted occupiers, pets, smoking, parking, garden duties and furnished inventory before the tenant moves in. These points are usually known in advance and should be recorded clearly rather than left to informal messages.

When Are Special Terms Useful In An AST?

Special terms are useful where the property has shared facilities, service charges, HMO conditions, pets, guarantors, break clauses, parking, gardens, or restrictions required by a headlease or mortgage. They should be specific, fair and consistent with consumer protection rules so that the agreement remains practical and legally robust.

Want to Generate Your own Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement?

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FAQs

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A tenancy agreement preparation checklist is a step-by-step guide to the information and documents needed before creating an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement in the United Kingdom.

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