This archive entry originally introduced assured shorthold tenancy agreements. It was updated on 16 October 2026 because the legal framework for England's private rented sector has changed. The original archive publication date is retained.
Why an old AST guide needs updating
Government guidance explains that most existing private assured shorthold tenancies became assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026. These run on a rolling basis rather than ending automatically on a fixed date.
A document still headed 'assured shorthold tenancy' should therefore not be treated as a complete statement of the rules now applying. The legal changes need to be read alongside its terms. This explanation concerns England; it should not be applied to a Welsh occupation contract or a Scottish tenancy.
Keep the agreement and the information together
Existing tenants with a written agreement did not generally need to sign a replacement solely because of the change. The government required the relevant Information Sheet to be supplied by 31 May 2026. Different written-information requirements apply where there was no written agreement.
Keep the agreement, subsequent notices and information supplied together. If something is missing, raise it with the landlord or agent and obtain advice about the particular tenancy.
Ending a tenancy is a separate question
A landlord cannot rely on a newly served section 21 notice under the new system. The government's landlord guidance describes possession grounds and the section 8 process.
Do not infer the validity of a notice or court case from this short introduction, especially where action began before the change. Check the dates, tenancy type and current guidance before taking any step.