Drafting a new Renters’ Rights Act Tenancy Agreement – Part 5

The new Renters’ Rights Act compliant assured periodic tenancy agreement has been finalised and is now available for members to use. After a detailed review and several improvements, the updated tenancy agreement aims to better serve landlords, letting agents, and tenants under the new legislative framework.

Finalising the tenancy agreement

The development of the Renters’ Rights Act tenancy agreement has been a lengthy process, culminating in a carefully checked and refined document. The latest work involved thorough proofreading of the tenancy PDF to identify and correct any errors. Additionally, the form instructions were reviewed to ensure they provide clear and helpful guidance for members using the agreement.

Further tweaks were made to both the form and the template to enhance usability and clarity, reflecting feedback and practical considerations gathered during the drafting process.

Innovative formatting features

Special formatting enhancements have been introduced by the IT and web developer, Gill, to improve the agreement’s functionality and presentation. One notable feature is the option for tenants to initial and date the bottom of every page. This was added following member requests but later some members preferred to remove it. The solution is a toggle feature allowing members to switch this on or off according to their preference.

Another design improvement is the new Key Information section, which features a subtle grey line down the left-hand side. This visual cue helps the section stand out without being intrusive, improving the document’s readability and professional appearance.

Flexibility and adaptability

The agreement is designed to be adaptable to various rental situations. It accommodates rent payments on a monthly or weekly basis and allows for the listing of bills paid by the landlord. Members can also choose between a traditional deposit or an alternative deposit scheme, catering to different landlord preferences and tenant needs.

Furthermore, the agreement is suitable for use by letting agents, who can include their details within the document, making it a versatile tool for professional property management.

Launch and member feedback

The tenancy agreement was made available online for members as of yesterday. A mailing was sent out with a link to the form and a SurveyMonkey questionnaire to gather member feedback. With only two responses received so far, it appears that members are generally satisfied with the new agreement.

Shared house tenancy agreement

In addition to the standard tenancy agreement for whole houses or flats, a separate version for renting a room in a shared house has also been developed and launched. This version required only minor adjustments and is now live, providing an option preferred by some members who rent rooms rather than entire properties.

Next steps

Completing this tenancy agreement marks a significant milestone for the Landlord Law service, as these documents are a crucial resource for members. The next project will focus on creating a dedicated student landlord version of the tenancy agreement, although this will be started after a short pause.

What this means for landlords

Having a Renters’ Rights Act compliant tenancy agreement readily available offers landlords and letting agents a reliable, legally up-to-date framework for managing assured periodic tenancies. The flexibility built into the agreement allows it to be tailored to different rental arrangements, helping landlords meet their obligations while providing clarity and protection for tenants.

The option to toggle tenant initials on each page and the clear presentation of key information enhance the document’s practicality and professionalism. These improvements can reduce disputes and misunderstandings, contributing to smoother tenancy management.

Source: Based on reporting from The Landlord Law Blog

TLA Training Academy

The Landlord Association has launched its new Training Academy for UK landlords, providing structured guidance, compliance education, and practical knowledge to support landlords at every stage. Members can now complete the programme and become TLA Certified Landlords at no additional cost as part of their membership.

Landlords can explore the Academy here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/tla-academy/

Those looking to join and access the full training and certification can register here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/landlord-association-membership-uk/

TLA update

The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/