If you are looking to grant a new assured shorthold tenancy (AST), or a fixed-term AST becomes periodic (normally by running on on a monthly basis) you must provide the tenant with a copy of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s booklet ‘How to Rent: the checklist for renting in England’ before the tenancy starts. A new booklet was released on 26 June 2018 and it is vitally important that you provide the tenant with the current copy.
If you fail to provide the tenant with the correct copy any section 21 notice (the ‘no fault’ possession notice) that you serve in respect of a tenancy that started after 1 October 2015, or a replacement tenancy, will be invalid and you will not be able to use this method to recover possession.
You can find the current copy of the ‘How to Rent’ booklet here:
For further information on the statutory requirements relating to granting ASTs and/or seeking possession of properties let under ASTs please contact Bryony Darnell.