Tenancy terms for landlords
In England the Renters' Rights Act replaced fixed terms and section 21 with assured periodic tenancies from 1 May 2026. Wales and Scotland have their own tenancy systems.
These terms cover how tenancies start, run and end, what each notice does, and where disputes go. Each one names the nation it applies to.
45 terms
- Accelerated possession
Accelerated possession was a court procedure that let a landlord get a possession order without a hearing, using form N5B.
- Assured shorthold tenancy (AST)
An assured shorthold tenancy (AST) was the most common type of private tenancy in England.
- Assured tenancy
An assured tenancy is the standard type of private residential tenancy in England.
- Client money protection
Client money protection (CMP) is a scheme that compensates landlords and tenants if a letting or property management agent cannot repay money it holds for them, for example if the agent goes into administration.
- Company let
A company let is a tenancy where the tenant is a company rather than an individual, often so that the company can house an employee.
- Custodial deposit scheme
A custodial deposit scheme is a type of tenancy deposit protection in which the scheme itself holds the tenant's deposit for the length of the tenancy.
- Deposit dispute resolution
Deposit dispute resolution is the free service run by a tenancy deposit scheme to decide how much of a deposit goes back to the tenant when the landlord and tenant disagree.
- Discretionary grounds for possession
Discretionary grounds for possession are reasons where the court can order possession, but only if it decides that it is reasonable even though the ground is proved.
- Disrepair claim
A disrepair claim is a court claim by a tenant that the landlord has failed to carry out repairs the landlord is responsible for.
- First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) is the tribunal in England that decides many residential property disputes between landlords, tenants and other parties.
- Fixed-term tenancy
A fixed-term tenancy is a tenancy agreed for a set period with an end date, such as 6 or 12 months.
- Ground 1A (selling)
Ground 1A is the mandatory possession ground that a landlord can use if they intend to sell the property.
- Ground 8 (rent arrears)
Ground 8 is the mandatory possession ground for serious rent arrears under a section 8 notice in England.
- Guarantor
A guarantor is a person who agrees to pay a tenant's rent or other tenancy costs if the tenant cannot.
- Holding deposit
A holding deposit is a refundable payment a prospective tenant makes to reserve a property while the landlord or agent carries out checks.
- Joint tenancy
A joint tenancy is a tenancy where more than one tenant signs the same agreement.
- Landlord access
Landlord access is a landlord's ability to enter a home they have let, which depends on the tenant's permission and proper notice.
- Lodger
A lodger is someone who rents a room in the home you live in yourself.
- Mandatory grounds for possession
Mandatory grounds for possession are the reasons for possession in England where a court must grant possession if the landlord proves the ground.
- No DSS discrimination
No DSS discrimination means a landlord or agent in England cannot refuse to rent to someone because they receive benefits or have children.
- Notice to quit
A notice to quit is a notice ending a periodic tenancy at the end of a rental period.
- Occupation contract
An occupation contract is the type of rental agreement used in Wales under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
- Periodic tenancy
A periodic tenancy is a tenancy that rolls on from one rent period to the next, usually monthly, with no fixed end date.
- Pets in tenancies
Pets in tenancies refers to the rules on tenants keeping a pet in a rented home.
- Possession order
A possession order is a court order that gives a landlord the right to take back a property.
- Private residential tenancy
A private residential tenancy is the type of tenancy used for most private lets in Scotland.
- Property inspection
A property inspection is a visit by a landlord or agent to check the condition of a let home and spot repairs.
- Property redress scheme
A property redress scheme is an independent complaints service that letting agents and property managers must join, so landlords and tenants can complain about the service they received.
- Quiet enjoyment
Quiet enjoyment is a tenant's right to occupy their home without unreasonable disturbance from the landlord.
- Rent arrears
Rent arrears are rent that is due under the tenancy and has not been paid.
- Rent in advance
Rent in advance is rent paid before it is due, usually before a tenancy starts.
- Rental bidding
Rental bidding is when a prospective tenant offers more than the advertised rent to secure a property.
- Renters' Rights Act
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is the law reforming private renting in England.
- Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet
The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 is an official government document explaining how the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changes private renting.
- Section 13 rent increase notice
A section 13 notice is the formal way for a landlord in England to increase the rent on a periodic assured tenancy.
- Section 21
A section 21 notice was the no fault route for a landlord in England to end an assured shorthold tenancy without giving a reason.
- Section 48 notice
A section 48 notice is a landlord's notice giving the tenant an address in England or Wales where notices, including court notices, can be served on the landlord.
- Section 8 notice
A section 8 notice tells an assured tenant that the landlord intends to seek possession on one or more legal grounds, such as rent arrears, selling the property or the landlord moving in.
- Statutory periodic tenancy
A statutory periodic tenancy is the name often used for a rolling tenancy that follows an ended fixed term without a new agreement being signed.
- Subletting
Subletting is when a tenant lets all or part of the home they rent to another person.
- Tenancy agreement
A tenancy agreement is the contract between a landlord and tenant setting out the terms of the let.
- Tenant Fees Act
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 bans landlords and letting agents in England from charging tenants any payment that is not on its permitted list.
- Tenant referencing
Tenant referencing is the set of checks a landlord or agent makes on a prospective tenant before the let, such as affordability, previous landlord references and right to rent.
- Void period
A void period is time when a rental property is empty and earning no rent, typically between tenancies or during works.
- Warrant of possession
A warrant of possession is a court document that authorises bailiffs to evict a tenant who has not left by the date in a possession order.