Landlords granting a new private residential tenancy in England need an agreement that reflects the current periodic-tenancy framework. Older assured shorthold tenancy templates often contain fixed-term and Section 21 wording that is no longer appropriate for a new letting.

This page explains the practical checks to make before agreeing terms. Landlords who need an editable starting point can download a free periodic tenancy agreement template for England from Landlord Knowledge.

Why a current agreement matters

The Renters’ Rights Act changed the structure of assured private tenancies in England. New tenancies are periodic rather than fixed-term, and possession must be considered through the applicable statutory grounds rather than an old Section 21 clause. The government’s Guide to the Renters’ Rights Act sets out the national framework.

That does not mean every tenancy needs a bespoke contract, but it does mean a landlord should not simply recycle an old AST document. A template written for the previous framework can create avoidable uncertainty over the tenancy period, notice, rent changes and possession wording.

Checks before using a periodic tenancy template

• Use the right jurisdiction: the linked template is for England. Wales uses occupation contracts and has a different legal framework.
• Confirm the letting type: resident landlords, lodgers, HMOs, company lets, agricultural arrangements and other non-standard cases can need different documentation or advice.
• Set out the core terms clearly: parties, property address, rent, rental period, deposit, repair responsibilities, permitted occupiers and contact arrangements should be accurate and completed before signing.
• Check linked compliance duties: a tenancy agreement does not replace deposit protection, prescribed information, safety duties, licensing, right-to-rent checks or any registration requirements that apply to the property.
• Take advice where the circumstances are unusual: guarantors, possession concerns, non-standard clauses and complex property arrangements merit professional advice before an agreement is finalised.

Where to download the current template

The current editable document is hosted on Landlord Knowledge as a practical starting point for standard private residential lets in England. It is designed around the periodic-tenancy framework and includes core clauses on rent, deposits, occupation, repairs and conduct.

Download the free periodic tenancy agreement template for England

Do not confuse a template with legal advice

A template can help organise standard terms, but it cannot determine whether every clause suits a particular property, tenant or landlord. Landlords should read the agreement in full, complete it accurately and obtain legal advice where they are unsure. This is particularly important where a tenancy involves a guarantor, a licence, an HMO, a resident landlord or a proposed possession route.

Opinion

The useful change is not simply replacing “AST” with “periodic”. Landlords need a document that matches the current legal structure and their actual letting arrangement. Keeping one maintained template in a clear, current location is more useful than leaving an outdated download competing in search results.