Legislate offers a customisable HMO tenancy agreement which is legally enforceable in England and Wales, so you can have peace of mind when renting out your house in multiple occupation.
An assured shorthold tenancy agreement (also known as an AST) allows a landlord to let a property to a tenant. The term of an assured shorthold tenancy agreement is usually 6 or 12 months and will usually convert to a rolling periodic tenancy at the end of the initial term.
A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a property rented out by 3 or more people forming more than one household. Depending on the location of the property, a landlord might need a HMO licence. A HMO tenancy agreement is an agreement between the landlord and a tenant and will grant exclusive possession to a room in the shared house as well as access to shared facilities such as a kitchen, communal areas and a bathroom. Landlords who rent out a HMO have additonal responsibilities which need to be clearly spelled out in the assured shorthold tenancy agreement.
A 6 month term for a tenancy agreement gives the option to the tenant to end the tenancy and leave after 6 months. A 6 month tenancy is suited to young professionals who will work in a location for a short period of time, for example in the context of an internship.
A landlord of a HMO property has additional responsibilities including maintaining the cleanliness and repair of the communal areas and facilities, ensuring the property is not overcrowded, and displaying their or their agent's contact information to the tenant. A HMO licence also imposes a minimum room floor area requirements based on the age and number of people living in the room.
Under a 6 month HMO assured shorthold tenancy, the landlord and tenant will have obligations, liabilities and consents which need to be clearly spelled out in the contract. For example, a landlord is responsible for keeping the property and its installations in repair whereas the tenant will be responsible for repairing damages caused by them. The other key terms of a tenancy agreement are details about the property and common parts, how the tenancy can be terminated within or after the initial term, as well as the rent, payment frequency and payment dates.