Tenancy requirements
A maximum of 4 unrelated occupiers/ tenants in England & Wales, 3 in Scotland.
- In England, an APT (Assured Periodic Tenancy) is required under under the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters’ Rights Act 2025)
- In Scotland, a PRT (Private Residential Tenancy) is required under Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016.
- In Wales, an Occupation Contract is required under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016.
Each tenancy must be in writing and:
- For England & Scotland: where a tenancy agreement start date is more than 36 months old this must be accompanied with one month's bank statement.
- For Wales: an Occupation Contract is required with a fixed term up to 36 months.
The following types of tenancies are not acceptable:
- Multiple tenancies where each tenant signs a separate agreement and/or has separate facilities.
- Rent Act protected tenants or an agent of these.
- A tenant or anyone else who lives at the property who has diplomatic immunity.
- Intended letting to housing association or local authority.
- Asylum seekers.