Completing a Tenancy Agreement

Whilst AST agreements can vary in the number, wording and diversity of terms and conditions forming the bulk of the document, most require similar information to be entered on the first page. This will usually include:

• Property address: means the let property. Write the full address and post code.
• Landlord: means you. Write your name in full (and any co-owner).
• Landlord's address: means the address in England or Wales for tenants to contact you in writing, report damage or for an emergency.
• Tenant: means those who applied to rent the property from you. This may be an individual, a couple or a group. In each case, write their full name(s).
• Tenant's address: means the registered prior address(es).
• Term: means the fixed period of tenancy being granted. For reasons we will discuss later, it is advised you provide a minimum of six months (enter in words).
• Beginning on: means the first day of tenancy and from when rent becomes due (not necessarily the occupation date). To prevent confusion and possible complications arising later in the tenancy, avoid the 1st, 28th, 29th, 30 th and 31st as commencement dates as these can be problematic when calculating the end-of-tenancy and rent-due dates. For example, a six-month tenancy starting on 30 August will expire on 28 February, except during a leap-year when it will be the 29 February.
• Rent: means the sum covering the period (usually a weekly, monthly or quarterly amount).
• Payable on: means the date in the month or day of the week that rent becomes due. If a tenancy starts on 6 July then subsequent monthly rent payments fall due on the 6th of each month. Some landlords opt to change the 'rent collection date' to the start or end of the month for convenience, but note that confusion can arise if arrears build up and formal notice needs to be given.
• Deposit: means the sum received as surety against dilapidations arising at the end of tenancy.
• Date: means the date the tenancy agreement is signed, which may not necessarily be the same as the date tenancy starts.

Two identical copies of the tenancy agreement will be required and the exact same data must be entered on each one. One copy is the Agreement, issued to the tenant(s); the other is the Counterpart, retained by the landlord.

Always use blue or black ink and write in block capitals for clarity. The agreement should confirm that it comprises the details above, the terms and conditions given and the inventory attached. Formal completion (signing) of the agreement can be undertaken in advance, but it is best done at the property on the day of tenancy commencement and with all parties present.