Understanding my contract - Private Renters in Camden

Understanding my tenancy agreement

What is a tenancy agreement?

Whilst it is not obligatory for your landlord to give you a written tenancy agreement, from 1 May 2026, most new private tenants must be given a 'written statement of terms'. If you had a verbal agreement with your landlord before this date, then you must now be given the written statement. This information may be included in your written tenancy agreement or given separately.

From 1 May all existing fixed term assured and assured shorthold tenancies automatically converted to a periodic tenancy. This means your tenancy will continue on a rolling basis and your landlord cannot end it simply because a fixed term has expired.

If you are an existing tenant with a written agreement, then your landlord must provide every tenant named on the agreement with the Government's Renters' Rights Act information sheet before 31 May 2026. This should be provided as a hard copy of as a PDF file attached to an email (not just a link). If your landlord fails to provide this they may face a fine of up to £7,000. Note: This does not apply to lodgers.

Signing the agreement

The agreement is a legal contract between the landlord and a tenant. It sets out the terms and conditions of the rental and the rights and obligations of both the landlord and tenant. Take your time to ensure that you understand everything. You shouldn’t sign any legal contract until you're happy that you understand it and can comply with it. Ask if you don’t understand anything.

All tenancy contracts must be signed by both the landlord and tenant and any witnesses where applicable.

If anything in the agreement contradicts your legal rights under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, the law takes precedence. You cannot be asked to sign away your statutory rights.

What to look for in the agreement/statement of terms?

From 1 May 2026, new tenants must be given certain written information about the key terms of their tenancy:

The landlord's name
The landlord or agent's address
Tenant/s - your name and contact details and others sharing with if joint tenants (see below)
Property address and tenancy start date
Rent - how much and when it is due? Who to pay and how? Note: the rent period cannot be more than one month, and the landlord can only increase your rent once per year using the formal section 13 process (with at least 2 months notice)
Council Tax – who pays and how
Utility bills – who pays and how
How much the tenancy deposit is. The landlord must give separate written information that says what scheme is it protected in and how to get it back when the tenancy ends.
Information on ending your tenancy and eviction

Note: If housemates form a joint tenancy, which means they are all 'jointly and severally liable', it is important to remember that if one tenant decides to leave at any point by giving the necessary 2 months notice (because the agreement is no-longer for a fixed term) then this ends the tenancy for everyone. Remaining tenants will then need to negotiate a new tenancy agreement with the landlord, who will have no obligation to offer one.

Your rights must also be in your tenancy agreement/statement of terms:

Landlord repairing obligations
Gas safety checks every year
Electrical safety checks every 5 years
The right to some disability adaptations
The right to ask to keep a pet

It may also include:

Any other payments – check if you have to pay any other charges i.e. late payment of rent or keys replacement. Note: A landlord can only charge if you are at least 2 weeks late with rent.
Restrictions on the property – check if there are any restrictions on e.g. smoking, overnight guests, decorating the property

Other types of tenancy agreements

Regulated or ‘Protected’ Tenancy
Some older tenancies that started before 15 January 1989, may be regulated or 'protected' tenancies. These are rare and provide the highest levels of protection against eviction and rent increases (and can also give you succession rights).

Lodgers and Licenses
If you live with your landlord in their property, or in hostel accommodation, you would either be a lodger or licensee - described in law as an 'excluded occupier'. This means you have significantly less security than an assured tenant and can be asked to leave more easily.

If you are a lodger living with your landlord, there is no obligation for them to provide you with a written agreement. If you do have one, it will usually be a rolling weekly or monthly contract that the landlord can end by giving reasonable notice.

If you have a licence agreement, your landlord does not need to go to court to ask you to leave once your notice period has expired. However, the landlord cannot physically remove you by force - they must obtain a warrant from the court before eviction can take place.

Further information about lodger's rights can be found here.

What to do if your landlord or agent fails to comply

You should contact the Private Sector Housing Service by telephoning 020 7974 5969 or use the Get Help page.