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Tenancy Agreement

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TENANCY AGREEMENT (furnished property)

Assured Shorthold Tenancy

under Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988 as amended by the Housing Act 1996

Note: This Tenancy contains an optional 6 month Break Clause in Paragraph 12. Please read the accompanying notes before completing this document

Date Signed:

Parties:

1. The Landlord:

2. The Tenant(s):

Property: The dwelling known as and situated at

together with the Fixtures, Furniture and Effects in the Property, more particularly described in the Property’s Inventory signed by the Parties.

Term: A term certain of months commencing

Rent: £ per month

Payable: in advance by equal monthly payments. The first payment is to be made on the date of signing of this Agreement and subsequent payments on the day of each month thereafter.

Deposit: £ which will be held in accordance with the rules of one of the government-approved Tenancy Deposit Schemes

1. The Landlord lets and the Tenant takes the property for the Term and at the Rent payable as above.

2. This agreement is intended to create an Assured Shorthold Tenancy as defined in section 20 of the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Housing Act 1996) and the provisions for the recovery of possession by the Landlord in section 21 thereof apply accordingly.

Tenant’s Obligations

7. The Tenant will:

(a) Pay the Rent at the times and in the manner specified and will pay interest at a rate of 3 per cent above the prevailing Bank of England rate on any rent arrears which remain unpaid for more than fourteen days. Interest is to be calculated from the date upon which such rent was due to be paid to the date upon which it is actually paid.

(b) Pay for all charges and utilities, including any standing or fixed charges, for gas, electricity, water and sewerage which shall be consumed or supplied on or to the Property during the tenancy.

(c) Pay for all charges made for the use of the fixed line telephone at the Property during the tenancy.

(d) Pay for the Television Licence at the Property (if applicable)

(e) Keep the interior of the Property during the Term in as good and clean a state of repair, condition and decoration as the Property is in at the start of the tenancy.

(f) Not make any alteration or addition to the Property without the Landlord’s written consent and not to erect any external wireless or television aerial or satellite dishes.

(g) Preserve the Fixtures Furniture and Effects from being destroyed or damaged and not remove any of them from the Property.

(h) Yield up the Property at the end of the tenancy in the same clean state and condition as it was in at the beginning of the tenancy, fair wear and tear excepted, and made good, pay for the repair of, or replace all such items of the Fixtures Furniture and Effects as shall be lost damaged or destroyed during the tenancy.

(i) Keep clean the windows of the Property and promptly replace all broken glass.

(j) Permit the Landlord or the Landlord's agents at all reasonable times and upon giving reasonable notice (except in the event of emergency) to enter the Property to carry out any works of maintenance or repair to the Property or elsewhere which the Landlord may reasonably consider necessary.

(k) Not assign, sublet or part with possession of the whole or any part of the Property without the Landlord‘s written consent.

(l) Not carry on any profession, trade or business at the Property and not receive paying guests at the Property and not use the Property for any purpose other than that of a strictly single private residence.

(m) Not do or allow to be done on the Property anything which may be a nuisance or annoyance to the Landlord or the Tenants or occupiers of any adjoining premises or which may vitiate any insurance of the Property against fire or otherwise increase the ordinary premium for such insurance.

(n) Permit the Landlord or the Landlord's agents at all reasonable hours within the last twenty-eight days of the tenancy to enter and view the Property with prospective tenants with prior notice.

(o) Perform and observe any obligation on the part of the Tenant arising under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 or regulations made thereunder to pay council tax and indemnify the Landlord against any such obligation which the Landlord may incur during the tenancy by reason of the Tenant's ceasing to be resident in the Property.

(p) Not keep or allow to be kept in the Property any cat dog or other pets.

(q) Not to smoke or permit any guests or visitors to smoke tobacco on the premises

(r) Not to use the premises, or knowingly allow the premises to be used, for any illegal or immoral purpose.

(s) Where the Property has a garden, be responsible for the maintenance of that garden and keep it in good seasonal order throughout and to cut the grass at regular intervals as and when necessary.

(t) Not to install or change any locks in the Premises (except in an emergency, in which case a key to be provided to the Landlord). If any additional keys are made, the Tenant shall deliver them to the Landlord, together with all remaining original keys, at the end of the Tenancy. If any such keys have been lost, the Tenant will pay to the Landlord on demand any costs incurred by the Landlord in replacing the locks to which the lost keys belong.

(u) Unless agreed otherwise, the Tenant will return the Property's keys to the Landlord or the Landlord’s agent by midday on the day of vacating the Property, otherwise all costs incurred by the Landlord in gaining entry to the Property will be borne by the Tenant.

8. Should the Tenant be in a situation where he needs to claim Housing Benefit, the housing element of Universal Credit (or equivalent government assistance with his rent), the Tenant will immediately notify the Landlord prior to making such a claim.

Landlord’s Obligations

9. The Landlord agrees with the Tenant as follows:

(a) To pay and indemnify the Tenant against all assessments and outgoings in respect of the Property (except charges for which the Tenant is expressly responsible under this agreement)

(b) That, as long as the Tenant pays the rent and performs his obligations under this agreement, the Tenant may quietly possess and enjoy the Property during the tenancy without any disturbance or interruption from the Landlord or any person claiming under or in trust for the Landlord.

(c) To return to the Tenant any rent payable for any period while the Property is rendered uninhabitable by fire.

The Deposit

10. Upon signing this agreement the Tenant shall pay the Landlord a deposit in the amount stated above to be held until the termination of the tenancy. The deposit shall be held in accordance with a government-approved Tenancy Deposit Scheme. Subject to the rules of that Scheme, if the Tenant has not complied with the terms and obligations of this agreement then, without prejudice to any other claims or right the Landlord may have in law, the Landlord shall be entitled to retain such part of that deposit as represents the reasonable cost of compensating him for such breach or non-compliance.

11. The Landlord shall not be entitled to claim in respect of any damage to the property or its contents which is due to “fair wear and tear”, meaning the normal deterioration over time of the property and its contents whilst the tenant(s) is living in the property and using it in a reasonable and lawful manner in accordance with the terms of this agreement.

Break Clause at 6 months for tenancies of a year or more

12. Where the Term is 12 months or greater:

(a) The Landlord may terminate the tenancy upon giving not less than two months’ notice in writing, such notice not to expire before the expiry of 6 months from the start of the tenancy.

(b) The Tenant may terminate the tenancy upon giving not less than one month’s notice in writing, such notice not to expire before the expiry of 6 months from the start of the tenancy.

Landlord’s rights to Repossess the Property

13. Provided that:

- if the Rent or any instalment or part thereof shall be in arrears for at least fourteen days after it has become due (whether legally demanded or not) or

- if the Tenant has breached any of the terms of this agreement or

- if any of the grounds set out in the Housing Act 1988 Schedule 2, grounds 2 or 8 or 10 to 15 inclusive apply

the Landlord may re-enter the Property (subject always to any statutory restrictions on his power to do so) and immediately thereupon the tenancy shall absolutely determine without prejudice to the other rights and remedies of the Landlord.

Landlord’s Address

14. The Tenant is hereby notified under section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 that your Landlord's address for the service of Notices (including Notices in proceedings) is as follows:

Signed and Executed as a Deed by the following parties:

Landlord(s)

Name:

Signature:

Name:

Signature:

Name:

Signature:

Tenant(s)

Name:

Signature:

Name:

Signature:

Name:

Signature:

In the presence of:

Witness Full Name:

Address:

Witness Signature:

In the presence of:

Witness Full Name:

Address:

Witness Signature:

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What a Tenancy Agreement Is and When It Applies

A Tenancy Agreement is a written contract that sets the terms under which a landlord rents residential or commercial property to a tenant. It documents parties, premises, rent, term, deposits, permitted uses, maintenance responsibilities, utilities, renewal and termination rules, and remedies for breach. Properly executed, it creates enforceable obligations and evidences possession rights. In the United States electronic execution is generally valid under ESIGN and UETA when the parties demonstrate intent and retention; however some narrow categories of documents remain excluded from electronic execution.

Why a Clear Tenancy Agreement Matters

A clear Tenancy Agreement reduces disputes, clarifies financial obligations, and establishes notice and repair procedures. It protects both landlord and tenant by allocating responsibilities, documenting security deposit handling, and defining default remedies while supporting enforceability in court when properly signed and retained.

Why a Clear Tenancy Agreement Matters

Who Typically Prepares and Signs Tenancy Agreements

Each party should review obligations, initial key clauses, and keep a signed copy; professional review is recommended for unusual terms or large-value commercial leases.

  • Individual landlords managing single units and short-term leases
  • Property management firms overseeing multi-unit portfolios
  • Commercial tenants and landlords for office or retail leases

Step-by-Step: How to Complete a Tenancy Agreement

Follow these steps to populate, review, and finalize the agreement so it is enforceable and clear to all parties.

  • 01
    Prepare draft: Populate names, address, term, rent, and deposit fields.
  • 02
    Review clauses: Confirm maintenance, utility, and subletting provisions.
  • 03
    Confirm state rules: Check local security deposit and notice requirements.
  • 04
    Execute signatures: All parties sign and date; retain executed copies.

How to Customize and Complete the Agreement Online

Configure an online workflow to reduce errors and speed execution while preserving a complete audit trail for enforcement and retention.

Field Configuration
Required Fields Make names, rent, term, and signature mandatory.
Conditional Clauses Show late-fee fields only if late fees apply.
Authentication Use email or SMS code for signer validation.
Delivery Automatic PDF and audit trail sent to parties.

Distribution and Digital Signing Options

Integrations with CRM, property management, or document storage reduce manual steps; verify the provider supports audit trails, document formats (PDF/DOCX), and applicable compliance such as ESIGN and UETA.

  • Email Links: Simple, widely accepted authentication.
  • SMS Authentication: Adds second factor with a code.
  • Remote Notarization: Use where notarization is required or preferred.

Where to Send or File an Executed Tenancy Agreement

After execution, route signed copies to all parties and store a master copy in your records system; some jurisdictions or lenders may require additional filings or notarization.

  • Tenant Copy: Provide signed PDF to tenant immediately after execution.
  • Landlord Records: Keep an original or certified copy in property files.
  • Property Manager: Upload to lease management software for accounting.
  • Optional Recording: Record only if long-term lease requires public record.

Common Timelines and Notice Periods in Tenancy Agreements

Key dates and statutory notice periods affect renewals, security deposit accounting, and eviction timelines; check local law for exact deadlines.

Lease Start Date:

The effective day tenants may occupy and rent obligations begin.

Rent Due Date:

Monthly payment date stated in agreement; late fees often begin after grace period.

Security Deposit Return:

State windows vary; typically 14–60 days for final accounting and disbursement.

Termination Notice:

Tenant or landlord notice windows commonly 30 or 60 days depending on tenancy.

Repair Response:

Landlord response and repair timelines may be contractually defined for habitability.

Essential Data Elements to Include

Tenant Name: Full legal name
Landlord Name: Full legal name
Property Address: Street, unit, city, ZIP
Rent Amount: Numeric dollars
Security Deposit: Dollar amount
Effective Dates: MM/DD/YYYY

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Agreement

  • Using informal or partial names rather than full legal names can complicate enforcement and background checks.
  • Failing to state a clear rent due date, accepted payment methods, and grace periods leads to recurring late-payment disputes.
  • Omitting local statutory language about security deposit handling or notice requirements can trigger statutory penalties.
  • Relying on general phrases like 'reasonable wear and tear' without definitions can produce contested repair charge disputes.

Penalties and Risks of an Incomplete or Incorrect Agreement

Statutory Penalties: Civil fines possible
Security Deposit Risk: State deductions limited
Eviction Delay: Improper notice invalidates removal
Enforceability: Ambiguous terms voidable
Tenant Claims: Breach leads to damages
Recordkeeping: Loss of evidence

Real-World Examples of Tenancy Agreement Use

These brief examples show how different organizations use tenancy agreements and digital signing to manage leases and compliance.

Martin Properties

Property manager digitized leases for mobile signing to reduce turnaround time.

  • Signed leases captured with audit trails for every tenant.
  • This allowed faster move-ins, consistent deposit accounting, and improved recordkeeping across a multi-property portfolio without requiring in-person meetings.

Optica Ventures LLC

Small landlord standardized a single form for short-term and annual leases.

  • Conditional fields used for pet policies and parking.
  • Standardization reduced drafting errors, made renewals predictable, and simplified tenant communication while preserving customizable clauses for special situations.

Tips for Accurate and Efficient Tenancy Agreement Completion

Apply these practical practices to reduce errors, speed execution, and support enforceability.

Use standardized templates
Adopt a state-reviewed template with conditional fields for local requirements; this minimizes drafting inconsistencies while allowing necessary customization for each property.
Verify identities
Confirm signer identity with government ID or SMS/email verification to strengthen attribution and reduce later signature disputes.
Document communications
Keep records of tenant communications, inspection reports, and repair requests to support deposit deductions and habitability defenses in disputes.
Store securely
Retain executed copies in encrypted storage and maintain an audit trail showing timestamps, IP addresses, and signer actions for legal proof.

eSignature Pricing and Feature Comparison for Tenancy Agreements

Compare common plan attributes and compliance capabilities when choosing an eSignature provider for lease execution; signNow is shown first as a reference for pricing and envelope policy.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No
Envelope Cap No cap 100 envelopes/user/year Varies Varies Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Tenancy Agreements

Answers to common questions about execution, legality, notarization, amendment, and retention of Tenancy Agreements in the U.S.


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