shorthold

Shorthold tenancy refers to a common form of residential tenancy in England and Wales known as an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). It emerged from the Housing Act 1988 and is the default arrangement used in much of the private rented sector. An AST gives the tenant exclusive possession of the property for a defined period or on a rolling, periodic basis, with rent paid at regular intervals.

A typical AST involves a fixed term, often six or twelve months, after which the tenancy may continue as a periodic tenancy unless renewed. The tenant has the right to live in the property, subject to complying with the terms of the tenancy, while the landlord retains the right to take steps to regain possession at the end of the term or for valid reasons during the tenancy.

Key obligations and protections include: the landlord must ensure the property is safe and reasonably reparable, meeting statutory requirements for safety checks (such as gas safety inspections) and, in many cases, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. The tenant must pay rent on time, keep the property reasonably clean, and report problems promptly. Tenancies involving an AST typically require the deposit to be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receipt, with prescribed information provided to the tenant.

Ending an AST can occur at the end of the fixed term or during a periodic tenancy. A landlord may seek possession using a Section 21 notice (no-fault eviction) with proper notice, or a Section 8 notice if the tenant breaches terms, with a court process to obtain possession. Scotland and Northern Ireland have distinct tenancy frameworks, while the foregoing description primarily applies to England and Wales.