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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Assured and shorthold tenancies

That are assured and shorthold tenancies? These are the names of the commonest forms of arrangement for the eating of houses and Bats by private landlords. In daeir cutest form, duey were introduced by the Housing Act 1988 but important changes were made by the Housing Act 1996 with effect from 28 February 1997. the legislation, the term "assured tenancy" covers both assured tenancies shorthold tenancies.

An assured or shared tenancy is the usual form of letting i.e you are a private landlord and your tenant is a private tenant; the tenancy began on or after 15 January 1989; house or flat is let as separate accommodation and is the tenant's home. A tenancy will not be an assured or shorthold tenancy if: " the tenancy began on or after 15 January 1989; ~ it is a business or holiday let; no rent or a very low or very high rent is charged and you are a resident landlord.

The differences between an assured and a shorthold tenancy

What are the main differences between an assured and a shorthold tenancy? If you let on a shorthold tenancy, you can regain possession of your property 6 months after the beginning of the tenancy, providing that you give 2 months' notice that you require possession. If you let on an assured tenancy, your tenancy has the right to repossess the property unless you can prove to the court that you have grounds for possession. You do not have an automatic right to repossess the property when the tenancy comes to an end.

What is the tenant responsibility

Council Tax

The tenant will normally be responsible for pacing Council Tax, if the property is a house if Multiple occupations you wiil be responsible for paying it although you can include the cost in the rent. If you are in any doubt as to who will be liable to pay Council Tax contact your Local authority. To avoid cohesion, the tenancy agreement should set out who is responsible for paying Council Tax.

Water and sewage charges

The tenant will normally be responsible for paying water and sewerage charges if the accommodation is self-contained. If you are in any doubt as to who will be liable for these charges, contact the water utility company for the area. The tenancy agreement should set out who is responsible for payment. If you pay the charges, you can include the cost in the rent.

CONCLUSION

You should agree who is responsible for the payment of other bills gas, electricity, telephone etc. With the tenant and state this clearly in the tenancy agreement. The tenant has a duty to take proper care of the property and use it in a responsible way, pay the rent as agreed and keep to the tenns of the tenancf agreement, urdess the terms are in contravention of his or het rights in law.