Tenancy agreements

A tenancy agreement is a contract between you and a landlord or letting agent, it gives certain rights to both you and your landlord. For example, your right to occupy the accommodation and your landlord’s right to receive rent for letting the accommodation. It also sets out the legal terms and conditions of your tenancy.

Rolling tenancy agreement

All contracts in the private sector are called rolling Tenancy Agreements. This means they are not for any fixed period and roll on each month. All tenants can give two months’ notice to their landlord, once the agreement has begun. It is important to note, however, that if you are on a joint and several rolling tenancy agreements, one tenant giving notice, effectively gives notice for all tenants. Landlords can choose to resign the other tenants; however, they are not obliged to.

Landlords can give student tenants four months’ notice, to end the agreement, if it is stated within the contract. This notice can only be given between the 1^st June – 30^th September.

Landlords can seek possession of the property through the courts if certain terms of the agreement have been broken by the tenants.

Individual tenancy agreements

• This is when each tenant signs a separate contract with the landlord.
• The contract only has your name on, as the tenant and should specify which bedroom you have exclusive occupancy of.
• You are only responsible for paying your own rent.
• Responsible for the upkeep of your own room and any damage that may be caused.  You are jointly responsible with the other tenants for maintaining the communal areas and any damage that may be caused.
• If another tenant moves out, you may have no say over who replaces them.

Joint tenancy agreement

• This is when all tenants are listed and sign one contract is signed by all.
• Tenants are jointly, (joint and severally) responsible for paying the rent.
• All tenants are responsible for the upkeep of the property/ cleaning and any damage that may be caused.
• If the rent is not paid in full at any time by the tenants, the landlord can ask any of the other tenants to pay the full amount, unless it specifically states in the contract you are only responsible for your share of the rent.

Licences

This is used typically by Lodging and Homestay landlords, (when the owner lives in the property). A licence is when someone gives you permission to occupy their premises. You do not have exclusive occupation of the property; however, you will have your own room and share many of the other facilities.

Although no tenancy agreement, there may be terms and conditions for you to adhere to whilst living there.  You should ensure you have read, understood and are happy with these terms before agreeing to them.

As you do not have security of tenure like you would with a tenancy agreement, if you did want to leave, you would give ‘reasonable’ notice. Be aware the landlord can also give ‘reasonable’ notice asking that you leave.  The notice period should be clearly stated in your terms and conditions.

University of Gloucestershire offers a free contract checking service for all students. We will be happy to look through your contract for any unfair terms or conditions before signing, just email us at [email protected].