Q. I understand that under the Renters Rights Act, all tenancies now have to be assured periodic tenancies. Do I have to give my existing tenants a new tenancy agreement?

A. No, provided you served the government’s Information Sheet on them by 31 May, that is all you need to do. Most assured shorthold tenancies will have converted automatically to assured periodic tenancies (APTs) on that date.

You do not have to do anything further. The government’s Information Sheet tells tenants about their new rights under the Renters’ Rights Act.

Landlords who served valid section 21 or section 8 notices on their tenants before 1 May get a bit of extra time. The reason for this is that their tenancy is deemed to remain an assured shorthold tenancy until either the notice has expired or any court proceedings issued are over. So, in that case, the landlord’s time for service of the notice will expire either:
• One month after the notice is no longer valid (i.e., after the time for using it has expired), or
• One month after court proceedings have concluded without possession having been granted

If the possession proceedings result in the tenants leaving, then there is no need to serve the notice, as the tenancy will have ended before converting to an APT.

So long as you have complied with these rules, there is no need to issue a new tenancy agreement to your existing tenants.


Q. My tenants have an assured tenancy. I want to increase their rent. Can I do this by getting them to sign a new tenancy agreement?