The Renters' Rights Act 2025 abolished the creation of new fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancies from 1 May 2026. Every tenancy granted on or after that date must be a Periodic Assured Tenancy — also called an Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) or Periodic Assured Tenancy (PAT).
The LetSafe Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement (£29) is reviewed against the Housing Act 1988 as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025 and the Written Statement Regulations 2026. It includes the prescribed written statement content required by the new regime.
What is a Periodic Assured Tenancy?
A Periodic Assured Tenancy is a tenancy with no fixed end date that runs from period to period — typically month to month for monthly-rent properties. It has been the required form for all new English private tenancies since 1 May 2026.
- No fixed end date — the tenancy runs indefinitely until ended by either party
- Tenant can leave on 2 months' written notice at any time
- Landlord can only end it by serving a Section 8 notice citing a valid statutory ground
- Rent increases via Section 13 + Form 4A only — once per rolling 12-month period
- Tenants may make written pet requests at any time — you must respond within 42 days
What the LetSafe APT Agreement includes
The LetSafe Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement is a complete, compliant tenancy document for English landlords:
- Prescribed written statement content as required by the Written Statement of Terms Regulations 2026
- Section 13 rent-review clause (no contractual review clauses, which have no effect from 1 May 2026)
- Pet-request clause with the statutory 42-day response requirement and pet insurance condition
- Deposit protection acknowledgement block and prescribed deposit information
- Awaab's Law repair obligations
- Right to Rent acknowledgement
- Plain-English guidance notes for both landlord and tenant
What happened to existing ASTs?
Every Assured Shorthold Tenancy in force on 1 May 2026 automatically converted to a Periodic Assured Tenancy by operation of law — no documents needed for the conversion itself. However, landlords with converted tenancies should:
- Serve the Revised Written Statement of Terms on each existing tenant
- Serve the government's Information Sheet on every existing tenant by 31 May 2026
- Update internal processes to reflect Section 8 as the only possession route
AST vs APT: key differences
The old fixed-term Assured Shorthold Tenancy and the new Periodic Assured Tenancy differ in five key ways:
- Fixed term: ASTs had a set end date (e.g. 12 months). APTs are periodic from day one — no fixed end.
- Tenant notice: AST tenants were bound until the fixed term ended. APT tenants can leave on 2 months' written notice at any time.
- Landlord possession: ASTs allowed Section 21 no-fault eviction. APTs allow Section 8 only — a valid statutory ground must be cited.
- Rent increases: ASTs could use contractual rent review clauses. APTs use Section 13 + Form 4A only, once per 12 months.
- New lettings from 1 May 2026: Creating a new fixed-term AST is now unlawful. APT is the only permitted form.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still create an Assured Shorthold Tenancy after 1 May 2026?+
No. The Assured Shorthold Tenancy ceased to exist as a new-tenancy vehicle from 1 May 2026. Any purported new fixed-term AST granted on or after that date is unlawful. You must use a Periodic Assured Tenancy Agreement.
Is a Periodic Assured Tenancy the same as an Assured Periodic Tenancy?+
Yes — the terms are used interchangeably. The statute uses 'assured tenancy' and 'periodic' together. 'APT' and 'PAT' both refer to the same thing: a periodic (rolling) assured tenancy with no fixed term.
What notice does a tenant need to give to leave a periodic tenancy?+
Two months' written notice at any time. The tenant is not required to give notice at any specific point in the rental period. Notice can be served to expire mid-period.
Can I still agree a fixed-term arrangement informally?+
No. Any clause in a Periodic Assured Tenancy purporting to create a fixed term, or requiring the tenant to stay for a minimum period, is unenforceable. The periodic nature of the tenancy is a statutory requirement that cannot be contracted out of.
Do I need a new agreement for my existing tenants?+
Your existing AST auto-converted on 1 May 2026 — you do not need to sign a new agreement. However, you should serve the Revised Written Statement of Terms to confirm the updated terms, and you must serve the Information Sheet by 31 May 2026.