As a landlord or tenant, it`s important to have a tenancy agreement in place to protect yourself and ensure a smooth tenancy. However, hiring a solicitor to draft a tenancy agreement can be expensive. Fortunately, creating your own tenancy agreement in the UK is possible and straightforward.

Here`s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own tenancy agreement in the UK.

1. Define the type of tenancy

The first step is to establish the type of tenancy you want to create. There are different types of tenancies, including assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs), assured tenancies, and regulated tenancies. Most residential tenancies are ASTs, which protect tenants by giving them certain rights, such as the right to live in a property undisturbed and the right to have repairs carried out.

2. Include essential terms

A tenancy agreement should include essential terms such as the names of the parties, the rental amount, the tenancy start and end date, the deposit amount and how it will be protected, and the rent payment schedule. It should also include details on how the tenancy can be ended, either by the landlord or the tenant.

3. Detail property specifics

Your tenancy agreement should also include specific details about the property being rented, such as the address, the property type, the number of rooms, and any furniture or appliances included in the rental.

4. Outline responsibilities

Both landlords and tenants have responsibilities, which should be outlined in the tenancy agreement. These include obligations to keep the property in good condition, pay the rent, and follow any rules set out by the landlord, such as no smoking or pets.

5. Include any additional clauses

You may want to add additional clauses to your tenancy agreement, such as details on how repairs will be carried out, any restrictions on subletting, or specific rules about how the property should be used. However, it`s important to ensure that any additional clauses are fair and reasonable and don`t compromise the tenant`s legal rights.

6. Review and sign

Once you have drafted your tenancy agreement, it`s important to review it carefully to ensure that all the necessary details have been included and that it complies with UK tenancy law. Both parties should then sign the agreement to make it legally binding.

While creating your own tenancy agreement can save money, it`s important to ensure that it complies with UK tenancy law. If you`re unsure about any aspect of the agreement, it`s worth consulting with a legal professional or using a reputable online tenancy agreement template to ensure that your rights are protected.