The short version
- England: no official model agreement yet. From 1 May 2026 you must give the prescribed written information before the tenancy starts.
- Wales: use the Welsh Government's free model written statement.
- Scotland: use the Scottish Government's model Private Residential Tenancy, or the online tool.
- Northern Ireland: give a Tenancy Information Notice within 28 days.
We don't publish our own agreement templates. Any template we write will be checked by a solicitor first. Until then we link to the official versions only.
England: assured periodic tenancies
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 is now law. Since 1 May 2026 new private tenancies are assured periodic tenancies. They roll on (weekly or monthly) with no end date, and you can't create a new assured shorthold tenancy. (GOV.UK: Assured periodic tenancies, a guide for landlords)
For a tenancy that starts on or after 1 May 2026, you must give the tenant written information about the key terms before you sign or agree the tenancy. You can put it in the agreement or give it separately. If you don't, you could be fined up to £7,000. (GOV.UK: Written information you need to give your tenant; legislation.gov.uk: Renters' Rights Act 2025, s12; legislation.gov.uk: SI 2026/324 Written Statement of Terms Regulations)
Already had a written tenancy before 1 May 2026? You didn't need a new agreement, but you had to give every named tenant The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 by 31 May 2026. (GOV.UK: The Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026)
What GOV.UK provides: the list of required terms (PDF on GOV.UK: Tenancy agreements, written information for your tenant (incl. PDF list)) and the prescribed forms (GOV.UK: Assured tenancy forms). It does not provide a full model agreement. Trade bodies sell or offer their own; check they're dated after 1 May 2026.
Wales: occupation contracts
Since 1 December 2022 most private lets in Wales are occupation contracts under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016. Tenants are "contract-holders". You must give a written statement, and if it isn't given within 14 days of the occupation date you may have to pay compensation (up to two months' rent).
The Welsh Government publishes free model written statements in DOCX and PDF, last updated 29 May 2026: GOV.WALES: Model written statement, periodic standard contracts · GOV.WALES: Model written statement, fixed term standard contracts · GOV.WALES: Converted occupation contracts, guidance. The model notes say some terms can't be changed, and you should get independent advice if you're unsure about modifying any of them.
Don't forget Rent Smart Wales registration and licensing: Rent Smart Wales.
Scotland: private residential tenancy
Private lets are private residential tenancies (PRTs). They're open-ended, and you can't include an end date or minimum period.
Use the Scottish Government Model PRT Agreement (gov.scot: Private residential tenancy model agreement) or build one with the free online tool (mygov.scot: Create a tenancy agreement). Don't change or remove any bold (mandatory) text, and give the tenant the Easy Read Notes (gov.scot: Model PRT easy read notes). If you don't use the model, you must still give the Statutory Terms Supporting Notes.
Northern Ireland: Tenancy Information Notice
Within 28 days of granting a private tenancy, give the tenant a free Tenancy Information Notice. If anything in it changes, give a Notice of Variation within 28 days. Not doing so is an offence. Official templates: Department for Communities NI: Tenancy Information Notice; the prescribed wording: legislation.gov.uk: Tenancy Information Regulations (NI) 2023, Sch 1.
We don't list trades in Northern Ireland yet.
Single let, HMO or lodger?
| Single let | HMO (you don't live there) | Room let / lodger (you live there) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | Assured periodic tenancy + written information | Usually also an APT, as each tenant has their own room and may share a kitchen or bathroom (GOV.UK: Assured periodic tenancies, a guide for landlords). HMO licensing may apply (GOV.UK: House in multiple occupation licence) | Not an APT. Usually an excluded tenancy or licence, with "reasonable notice", often one rent period (GOV.UK: Rent a room, your lodger's tenancy type; GOV.UK: Letting rooms in your home, guide for resident landlords) |
| Wales | Periodic standard contract: model statement | Usually a standard contract: same model. HMO licensing via the council | A lodger who shares with you is outside occupation contracts unless you give notice that it is one (legislation.gov.uk: Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, s244 (lodgers)) |
| Scotland | Model PRT | Model PRT. HMO licence via the council | Not a PRT when you live there. Flag: confirm on mygov.scot |
| NI | Tenancy Information Notice for private tenancies (Department for Communities NI: Tenancy Information Notice). HMO licensing via the council. | ||
No government in the UK publishes a model lodger agreement. Each line here is a summary. Get advice for anything unusual.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an official tenancy agreement template for England?
Not a full model agreement. GOV.UK lists the information you must give tenants before a tenancy starts (from 1 May 2026) and publishes the Renters' Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 for existing tenancies.
Where do I get the Welsh model written statement?
From GOV.WALES, free in DOCX and PDF: there are versions for periodic and fixed term standard contracts.
Do I need a tenancy agreement for a lodger?
There's no official model. In England a lodger who shares your kitchen, bathroom or living room is usually an excluded occupier. Put the terms in writing anyway, and get advice if unsure.