Tenancy Agreement Template and How to Draft One (2026)

What is a tenancy agreement? A tenancy agreement is a written contract that lets a tenant live in a property for a set period in return for rent, setting out the rent, deposit, term, repairs, and how the tenancy ends. The word "tenancy agreement" is used most in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where the common form for private renting is an assured shorthold tenancy (AST) in England, with similar standard forms elsewhere. In India and other places the same document is often called a rental or lease agreement. Whatever the label, the clauses that matter are the same. A tenancy agreement protects both sides: the tenant has certainty over rent and the right to live in the home undisturbed, and the landlord has a record of the deposit, the condition of the property, and the grounds for ending the tenancy. The legal framework, deposit rules, and how a landlord may seek possession differ by country, so use the template below as a starting point and confirm your local rule. ## A tenancy agreement template you can copy ```

TENANCY AGREEMENT This Agreement is made on [date] between: Landlord: [full legal name], [address], [contact] Tenant: [full legal name], [address], [contact] [Guarantor, if any: name and address] 1. PROPERTY The Landlord lets to the Tenant the property at [full address], together with [furniture and contents in the Inventory]. 2. TYPE AND TERM This is a [assured shorthold tenancy / fixed-term tenancy] for [6 or 12] months, from [start date] to [end date], continuing thereafter as a periodic tenancy until ended under clause 9. 3. RENT Rent is [currency and amount] per [month], payable in advance on the [1st] of each month by [standing order to account ___]. 4. DEPOSIT The Tenant pays a deposit of [amount]. Where required by law, the Landlord will protect it in an approved scheme within [the statutory period] and give the Tenant the prescribed information. 5. TENANT RESPONSIBILITIES The Tenant will pay rent on time, keep the property clean and in good order, report disrepair promptly, not cause nuisance, and pay for [utilities and council tax / local charges]. 6. LANDLORD RESPONSIBILITIES The Landlord will keep the structure, exterior, heating, water and sanitation in repair, meet safety duties (gas, electrical, smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, as applicable), and allow the Tenant quiet enjoyment of the property. 7. USE AND OCCUPANCY The property is a private residence for [named occupants] only. No subletting or business use without the Landlord's written consent. 8. ACCESS The Landlord may enter for inspection or repair after at least [24 hours] written notice, except in an emergency. 9. ENDING THE TENANCY After any fixed term, either party may end the tenancy by giving the notice required by law and this agreement: Tenant gives [1 month]; Landlord gives [the statutory notice]. The Tenant returns the property and keys in good condition, fair wear and tear excepted. 10. DEPOSIT RETURN The deposit is returned within [the time set by the scheme or law] after the tenancy ends, less lawful deductions for unpaid rent or damage beyond fair wear and tear, with an itemised list. 11. GOVERNING LAW This agreement is governed by the laws of [country], and disputes are subject to [the courts of ___]. Signed: Landlord: ______________ Date: ______ Tenant: ________________ Date: ______ [Guarantor: ____________ Date: ______] INVENTORY: Condition, furniture, meter readings and dated photos

- **Protect the deposit where the law requires it.** In the UK, deposits for an AST must go into a government-approved protection scheme, and the tenant must receive prescribed information within a set time. Missing this has real consequences for the landlord.
- **Spell out responsibilities.** List who pays utilities and local charges (such as council tax in the UK), and set out the landlord's repair and safety duties clearly.
- **Complete the inventory.** A dated inventory with photos and meter readings at move-in is the fairest protection for the deposit on both sides.
- **Use correct notice.** Ending a tenancy is governed by statute in many places. State the tenant's notice and the landlord's statutory notice, and follow the proper process. ## Tenancy agreement quick reference | Item | Common choice | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tenancy type | AST (England), PRT (Scotland), rental/lease (India) | Depends on location |
| Term | 6 to 12 months, then periodic | Fixed term then rolling is common |
| Deposit | Capped by law in some places | UK caps deposits and requires protection |
| Notice to end | Set by statute and the agreement | Follow the legal process exactly |
| Inventory | At move-in, with photos | Protects the deposit for both sides | ## The rules differ by jurisdiction How a tenancy is created, how the deposit is handled, and how a landlord may seek possession are set by local law, and they differ sharply. - **United Kingdom.** Deposits must be protected in an approved scheme; prescribed information must be given; ending a tenancy follows statutory notice and process. Safety duties (gas, electrical, alarms) apply.
- **Ireland.** Residential tenancies are regulated, with registration and deposit rules of their own.
- **India.** The same document is usually a rental or lease agreement, stamped and, for longer terms, registered; the 11-month term is common. *This template is general information, not legal advice. Tenancy law is strict in some countries, especially on deposits and possession; confirm the rules where the property is and seek legal advice for anything unusual.* ## Where a contract workspace helps Setting up a tenancy by hand is manageable: choose the right type, fill the template, protect the deposit, complete the inventory, and follow the correct notice process. The strain comes from doing it right every time, meeting deposit and safety deadlines, and recalling the terms and dates across a portfolio of tenancies. The same drafting, reviewing and tracking can live in one AI workspace tuned to how you let property, starting from your own template, flagging missing or one-sided clauses and where each one carries risk, and keeping deposit, renewal and notice dates in view rather than scattered across email and folders. [Adira](https://adiralaw.com) is one tool that puts property contracts in a single workspace this way. The template above does the job on its own; the workspace simply removes the parts you would otherwise have to remember.