Take the legal mystery out of those confusing rental contract issues!
Our guide on this page will help you understand what a tenancy agreement (also sometimes simply called a rental contract) is, what the law says about it, and how it affects you, and protects you, as a renter in London’s fast-moving rental market.
A tenancy agreement is the legal name for a rental contract that gives you permission to stay in a property as the tenant, and to treat the property as your home. There are rules listed in the contract that you will need to follow, in exchange for living and enjoying your time in the property. Keep that rental contract safe during your stay!
Anyone staying at the property who is over 18 years of age must be named on the agreement and must sign the agreement. The legal owner of the property (known as the Landlord, or the Owner), or their officially-appointed representative, must sign the agreement as well.
Yes, you can find an example contract here.
Bear in mind, the wording in this example contract may not be exactly the same as the one you will sign when you stay with us. Because each tenancy can have unique requirements and negotiated terms. However, this example should give you a good idea of what to expect. Do have a read and ask your Host if you have any questions or concerns about the wording!
The only people allowed to stay at the property fall into 3 categories. Firstly, the Tenants — adults responsible for paying the rent and keeping to the terms of the tenancy agreement. At RentLondonFlat.com, we also refer to Tenants as Guests, to reflect the careful hospitality-like standard of service we aim to provide.
Secondly, the named permitted occupiers on the tenancy agreement, who maybe younger than 18.
Lastly, visitors, who can be friends or family who can stay for a short time, up to 7 days, without asking for permission from the Owner.
Yes, to rent with us, both the Guest and Owner need to sign a written tenancy agreement to fulfill their legal roles as tenant and landlord under UK law.
There can be many conditions and expectations for the Guest and Owner when it comes to a rental property, such as property care, what to do in case of late rent payments, how to end the contract, and much more. Therefore, a written contract helps ensure that all parties are aware and satisfied of these obligations, which are all clearly laid out and above board and transparent to everyone, before the tenancy starts.
All document submissions, exchanges, and signatures between Guests and Owners are done online when you rent with us, for your convenience.
A tenancy agreement should include:
The terms of the tenancy must be fair and comply with the law.
Your tenancy agreement cannot have anything in it that may indirectly discriminate against you.
Get legal advice before signing an agreement if you’re unsure of any terms. Once you’re happy with it, sign the agreement and get a copy of it.
Citizens Advice has a guide on tenancy agreements.
In some cases, the legal Owner of a property will not be an individual person, but may be a company, e.g. Downing Street Properties Ltd.
This can sometimes be the case if a landlord has numerous properties to own, so they form a company in order to administer that ownership.
In any case, you will be given the contact details of the landlord or their agent in the contract. Those are the contact details you will need to use during your tenancy if you need to, for example request a repair, or discuss changes or renewals to your agreement.
Both you and the Owner must agree in order to change the terms of the tenancy agreement and to put in any special clauses.
Regarding special requests for terms, please be advised that you are protected from discrimination on certain ground such as age, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
As an example, you might need a guide dog in your home, but a term in the tenancy may say no pets are allowed. The Owner must agree to change the terms to allow guide dogs in the property, unless they have a very strong reason not to (if another Guest in the property has a serious allergy to dogs, for example).
Yes this can be done, provided the Owner agrees to it.
The other person who is joining as a co-tenant or co-renter, will have to be referenced and credit checked in the same way as you were as the initial renter when you signed the contract.
Yes, if after signing, you request for changes to be made to rental contract, there will be £50.00 administrative fee. An example of a common type of change could be to add another person on your rental contract as a sharer, or, to change your legal name as written on the agreement.
A tenancy term is the legal name for the length of time that you rent a property. That term can be one of two types:
Your contract will explain the process for ending your contract early, if such a need should arise. We understand that circumstances change unexpectedly for everyone and we will work with you to ensure a flexible and smooth stay for your peace of mind.
Read more advice about the end of your stay on our Move Out page >
