When a tenant’s credit checks are deemed satisfactory and accepted by a checking agency or the landlord, the tenant is required to sign a tenancy agreement by the landlord or estate agent acting on behalf of the landlord.
The tenancy agreement is a legally binding document which sets out the legal duties and obligations of the landlord and tenant.
The tenant must request in writing to the landlord or the estate/letting agent to be provided with a tenancy agreement if this has not been provided at the beginning of the lease.
The date on which the tenancy begins or takes effect.
The total rent to be paid and the dates on which the rent is due.
Any terms relating to rent review; the tenancy agreements fixed term, and the duration of such term.
Failure to provide this information following a formal request is an offence under;
Section 20 A (4) of the Housing Act 1988 as introduced by section 97 of the Housing Act 1996.
(4) A landlord who fails, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a notice under subsection (1) above within the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which he received the notice is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding leval4 on the standard scale.
In the case where the tenancy agreement is done verbally/orally, the landlord is required by law to provide the tenant with a rent book and/or receipts for rent payments. A landlord will be committing a criminal offence if they fail to provide the tenant with these documents or proof of monies received.
