how long should agreement last

[Plusabit]

:confused: If a ast was signed and then ran on to a periodic tenancy, is there a lenght of time before a new tenancy should be signed/ a fried has a ast started in 1997, should she have a new one and if so why. is there anything in law to say how long they can run. what are the advantages and disadvantages of a new one? :rolleyes:

[Paul_f]

When the fixed term ends a periodic tenancy can exist indefinitely.
If this AST began before February 1997 then a S.20 notice needs to have been served on the tenant beforhand otherwise he has an Assured Tenancy and increased rights of continued occupation.
If not, then the landlord should really take steps to up-date it as the longer it goes on the less likely he will be able to enforce clauses that are now considered outdated (OFT Guidleines) in that wording for all new AST's must be in plain English since 1 November 2001.


It's really up to the landlord (or his agent if he has one - who should know better!) but it doesn't prejudice your friend's situation.

[Plusabit]

Thanks Paul, apparently the agent has said that a new agreement needs to be drawn up as it now is old wording.