Whether you’re a tenant or a landlord, the chances are the recent Housing White Paper which, amongst things, referenced longer tenancy agreements, will have left you confused and uncertain of what you’re entitled to and what you’re obliged to offer.

Headlines immediately following the White Paper spoke of making renting fairer to tenants and of encouraging family-friendly tenancies.  Tenancy periods of three years were referenced and yet, less than 24 hours later, the focus had shifted to say that wasn’t the case and longer tenancies would only apply on new ‘Build to Rent’ developments.

With the white paper claiming to focus on “Fixing Our Broken Housing Market”, the confusion which has since developed has done anything but help the wider situation.  However, the reality has in fact changed very little and any reputable lettings agent will be able to advise you on the tenancy options available whether you’re the landlord or the tenant.

Here at Andrews, most of our rental customers are living in properties on Assured Shorthold Tenancy arrangements – but that’s a world away from stating that the majority of our customers are living in properties where the tenancy length has been agreed at seven or twelve months.  Simply, the length of term is agreed between landlord and tenant.

Whilst our average length of tenancy is in the region of twelve months, we have tenancies agreed and in place which will last up to three years.

There is no set rule for setting tenancy lengths and whilst, under the assured shorthold tenancy framework, six or twelve months tends to be the norm, there are a host of circumstances in which flexibility leads to alternative lengths.

Take, for example, a landlord who is planning to sell a property.  He is likely to choose to market that property on a shorter tenancy of around six months, and consequently attract tenants who are similarly looking for a stop-gap solution, perhaps whilst they find a property to purchase themselves. 

A landlord, meanwhile, who is focused on the investment aspect of buy-to-let is likely to prefer a tenant who is happy to commit for a longer term in the region of two years.

And, of course, there are pros and cons of all tenancy lengths. 

In a long term let scenario, perhaps where families move in to a school catchment area, you’re assured that the property will be occupied for a set time over the longer term, whilst also having a legal commitment from someone to pay the rent. 

Shorter term lets, meanwhile, are more likely to appeal to those with a more transient lifestyle, often because of work commitments, although these will mean the agent is sourcing new tenants at an increased frequency.

Here at Andrews, we often find that landlords and tenants on expiry of the initial term, choose to extend to a longer period.  The benefit here being that tenants are happy with the property and landlords are happy with the tenants before committing further.  It’s a win:win situation!

If the recent Housing White Paper has left you confused over tenancy types and lengths, then pop in to your local branch of Andrews – there’s one in Kingsbury – or visit www.andrewsonline.co.uk