UK Tenancy Agreements Guide | England, Wales, Scotland and

You are setting up a new tenancy and you do not want to rely on an old template. This guide explains which agreement you need and what to sort before the tenant moves in.

Why Jurisdiction Matters

Landlords often search with broad phrases such as tenancy agreement UK or rental agreement template. The problem is that those searches flatten four different legal frameworks into one phrase. That can lead to outdated assumptions, especially where old AST language is reused for properties outside England.

New tenancy

Need the agreement sorted now?

Use the right agreement for the property now so you are not fixing an old template later.

• Choose the right England agreement route for the tenancy you are setting up.
• Avoid old wording that causes problems later.
• Preview it before you pay.

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England: Assured Periodic Framework

England landlords still search for AST wording, but from 1 May 2026 new agreements generally move into the assured periodic model. That means old fixed-term AST phrasing is best treated as legacy search language rather than the default way to sell new England agreements.

If the property is in England, start with the England tenancy agreement routeand decide whether Standard or Premium is the better fit for the tenancy.

Wales: Occupation Contracts

Wales does not use the England AST structure. Private landlords generally use a Standard Occupation Contract. The written statement, the statutory terms, and the possession language are all part of a different regime.

Scotland: Private Residential Tenancies

Scotland uses the Private Residential Tenancy framework. PRTs are open-ended by law and do not operate like old fixed-term AST assumptions in England. If the property is in Scotland, use Scottish wording and Scottish possession logic from the start.

Northern Ireland: Private Tenancy Agreements

Northern Ireland has its own private tenancy regime, its own notice rules, and its own compliance expectations. If the property is in Northern Ireland, the landlord should use a Private Tenancy Agreement built for NI rather than reusing English or Welsh paperwork.

How to Choose the Right Route

Start with the location of the property. Then ask whether the let is straightforward or whether it needs broader drafting and extra protection. That is where Landlord Heaven's Standard and Premium split becomes useful.

• Standard: usually the better fit for straightforward lets.
• Premium: stronger where the let is shared, higher-risk, guarantor-backed, or otherwise more complex.

FAQ

Can I use one tenancy agreement template across the whole UK?

No. The framework and terminology change between England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Does England still use AST as the main current product language?

Landlords still search for AST, but new England agreements should now be explained using current England tenancy agreement wording designed for the assured periodic framework.

Where should I start if I am unsure?

Start with the Landlord Heaven tenancy agreement page, then choose the route for the property jurisdiction.