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This page summarises the Guild assured periodic tenancy written statement produced by Tenancy Builder for England.
It is a guide to what the document covers. It is not a substitute for creating the written statement in Tenancy Builder, as the final document varies depending on the property, parties, deposit, utilities, certificates, and options selected.
The summary is also deliberately shorter than the actual written statement. It gives the broad shape of the terms without reproducing the full wording.
The terms include those legally required under The Assured Tenancies (Private Rented Sector) (Written Statement of Terms etc and Information Sheet) (England) Regulations 2026.
The document creates an assured periodic tenancy. There is no fixed term and no break clause. The tenancy is periodic from the start, and each tenancy period follows the rent period. If rent is monthly, the tenancy periods are monthly.
The written statement records the main tenancy details, including the landlord, tenant, property, start date, rent, payment dates, payment method and deposit details where relevant.
If there is more than one tenant, they are jointly and severally liable. That means each tenant can be responsible for the full tenancy obligations, not just their own share. The tenant is also responsible for taking reasonable steps to make sure visitors and guests comply with the tenancy terms.
The landlord does not have to give possession or keys until the first rent and any tenancy deposit have been received in cleared funds. If the property is not vacant and available at the start, the agreement does not take effect.
Rent is payable in advance at the times set out in the written statement. The tenant must not make unlawful deductions from rent.
If someone else pays rent for the tenant, they are treated as paying on the tenant's behalf. It does not make that person a tenant.
Rent increases are addressed through a section 13 notice under the Housing Act 1988. The assured periodic tenancy written statement does not use a contractual rent review clause.
Where a deposit is taken, Tenancy Builder includes the deposit terms and prescribed information. The deposit scheme depends on the selection made in Tenancy Builder. The deposit can cover the usual tenancy losses, such as rent arrears, damage, cleaning, items left behind and reasonable costs arising from breach. The tenant cannot use the deposit as rent.
Utility responsibilities are selected in Tenancy Builder. The statement can cover gas, electricity, water, TV licence, telephone, and internet. Depending on the selection, the tenant may pay the supplier directly, pay the landlord by invoice, or be covered by a fair use arrangement.
Council Tax is normally the tenant's responsibility unless the Tenancy Builder selection includes a landlord-liable HMO Council Tax arrangement.
Only the named tenants, any permitted occupiers and children of tenants may live at the property.
A tenant does not need the landlord's consent for their child to live there, but they must notify the landlord in writing within 14 days if a child starts living at the property. The month and year of birth are enough. This helps the landlord manage HMO, overcrowding, licensing and safety issues.
The property must be used as a private dwelling and as the tenant's only or principal home. The written statement includes terms covering illegal use, nuisance, noise, damage to neighbours, subletting, absence from the property, parking, smart devices, and notifying the landlord about official letters, proceedings, fire or burglary.
The tenant must not run a profession, trade or business from the property without written consent. The assured periodic tenancy terms also deal with home business requests under section 43ZA of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954.
The written statement includes a pet consent process reflecting section 16A of the Housing Act 1988, introduced by the Renters' Rights Act.
A tenant may request consent to keep a pet at the property. The landlord must not unreasonably refuse consent, but the tenant must not keep the pet until written consent has been given.
The request must be in writing and describe the pet. The landlord may ask for further reasonable information and may give consent subject to reasonable conditions. If consent is needed from a superior landlord, freeholder, management company, insurer or another third party, the tenant must cooperate with that process.
The written statement also includes a section on Equality Act 2010 improvements. Where the statutory conditions apply, the landlord may not unreasonably withhold consent for disability-related improvements. Consent may include reasonable conditions, such as the tenant paying for the works or reinstating the property at the end.
The landlord, agent, contractors or others authorised by the landlord may access the property on at least 24 hours' written notice, except in an emergency.
Access may be for inspection, repairs, maintenance, safety checks, EPC work, surveys, valuations, viewings or another reasonable purpose.
The tenant must cooperate with access. If access is prevented after notice or agreement, the tenant may be liable for reasonable costs.
Locks and security devices must not be changed without written consent. The landlord is entitled to retain a key or security device. Where there is a burglar alarm, the tenant must not change codes without consent and must activate it when the property is unoccupied.
The insurance terms require the tenant not to do anything that may invalidate or increase the landlord's insurance. The landlord's insurance does not cover the tenant's belongings.
The tenant must check any inventory and report errors within seven days. If they do not, the inventory is treated as accepted.
The tenant must look after the property in a tenant-like way and is responsible for damage beyond fair wear and tear, where it is their responsibility.
The written statement covers reporting defects, decorating, alterations, attaching items to walls, avoiding blocked drains, heating and ventilating the property, preventing condensation, cleaning, garden care, and not ordering certificates without the landlord's consent.
It also includes specific damage-prevention wording, such as not using bleach or bleach-based products on surfaces, fixtures or fittings except inside toilet bowls or drains.
Rubbish must be disposed of properly in line with local authority rules. The tenant must take reasonable steps to prevent vermin and may be responsible for pest control unless the problem arises from the landlord's failure to meet repairing obligations.
The written statement includes practical safety rules for the property and any common parts.
These cover heaters, dangerous or flammable goods, unsafe electrical items, fire equipment, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, common areas, candles, incense, smoking, vaping, fire doors, electrical installations and Legionella guidance.
The assured periodic tenancy statement also includes battery and e-mobility wording. Rechargeable batteries must not be left unattended while charging, and damaged batteries or devices must not be charged.
E-bikes, e-scooters and similar battery-powered vehicles, including their batteries, must not be brought into or stored inside any building at the property, including communal areas, without the landlord's written consent.
The written statement includes the landlord's obligations on fitness for human habitation under section 9A of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. The landlord must ensure the property is fit at the start and throughout the tenancy, subject to the statutory exceptions.
It also includes the landlord's repairing obligations under section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. This covers the structure, exterior and installations for water, gas, electricity, sanitation, space heating and water heating.
The tenant must notify defects in writing. The written statement explains that the landlord's repairing liability does not arise until written notice has been received, and no breach arises if the landlord then deals with the repair with reasonable expedition.
Electrical safety obligations are included. The landlord must ensure the relevant electrical safety standards are met, arrange inspection and testing at least every five years or sooner if required, and provide the report to the tenant.
Gas safety obligations are included where there are relevant gas fittings. The landlord must maintain relevant gas fittings and flues safely, arrange safety checks as required, and provide the gas safety record.
Some Tenancy Builder options affect what is included, such as wording about a TV aerial or satellite dish, and whether particular certificates or information documents are attached.
If the tenant wants to end the tenancy, they must give a written notice to quit. The minimum notice is two calendar months. The notice must expire at the end of a tenancy period, which is the day before rent is next due. The tenant must give vacant possession by the date in the notice.
For the landlord, the written statement explains that, in most circumstances, the landlord can only end the tenancy by obtaining a court order for possession and having that order executed.
The landlord will usually need to serve the prescribed possession notice setting out the ground or grounds relied on. The grounds determine the minimum notice period before proceedings can begin.
The written statement lists the grounds of possession the landlord wishes to rely on, including those amended or introduced by the Renters' Rights Act. If the Student HMO option is selected in Tenancy Builder, additional Ground 4A wording and a written statement are included.
The written statement sets out how notices and documents may be served. This can include post, hand delivery and email, depending on the selections in Tenancy Builder.
Where there are joint tenants, service on one joint tenant can count as service on all.
At the end of the tenancy, the tenant must leave the property and the landlord's items in the same condition and cleanliness as at the start, allowing for fair wear and tear. They must remove rubbish, return keys and security devices, deal with any parking permits, and give vacant possession.
If belongings are left behind, the landlord may remove and dispose of them after giving the required notice. The tenant may be liable for reasonable removal, storage and disposal costs.
Depending on the Tenancy Builder selections, the written statement pack may include:
The written statement also includes information about how personal data is used.
Use Tenancy Builder to create the written statement. The final document depends on the details and options selected for the tenancy.