Tenancy Type Checker
Find your likely renting status and see which eviction, rent, deposit, repair and written-information rights route applies.
Use this checker for: assured periodic tenancy, old assured shorthold tenancy, transitional AST with pre-1 May 2026 notice, lodger, excluded occupier, occupier with basic protection, private licence, property guardian, student halls, accredited PBSA, HMO, council secure tenancy, introductory tenancy, flexible tenancy, housing association assured tenancy, supported accommodation, homelessness temporary accommodation, tied accommodation, agricultural occupancy, Scotland private residential tenancy, Wales standard or secure occupation contract, and Northern Ireland private tenancy status.
Overview
A Tenancy Type Checker is a structured tool that helps identify the legal renting status behind a housing arrangement. It checks the country, landlord type, start date, whether the home is the renter’s only or main home, whether the landlord lives in the property, whether living space is shared, whether the occupier has exclusive use of at least one room, the rent level, the written agreement label, and special categories such as student halls, supported accommodation, homelessness temporary accommodation, tied housing or holiday lets.
This tool is UK-aware but its detailed reform logic focuses on England, UK. England private rented sector tenancy reform guidance is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. From 1 May 2026, most existing private assured shorthold tenancies in England automatically became assured periodic tenancies, and new private assured tenancies after that date are periodic rather than fixed-term. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems, so this checker shows regional outputs rather than forcing every answer into the England private tenancy framework.
Quick route map
Recent updates
What this checker looks for
- Country route: England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, because tenancy status and notice systems differ across the UK.
- Landlord type: private landlord, letting agent, council, housing association, resident landlord, university, employer, supported provider, head tenant or property guardian company.
- Main home test: whether the occupier uses the property as their only or main home.
- Resident landlord test: whether the landlord or landlord’s family lives in the same home or building.
- Sharing test: whether kitchen, bathroom or living room are shared with the landlord or landlord’s family.
- Exclusive possession: whether the occupier has at least one room only they or their family can use.
- Start date: whether the agreement began before 1989, between 1989 and 1997, before 1 May 2026, or after 1 May 2026.
- Written label vs legal reality: whether the agreement calls itself a licence, AST, lodger agreement or fixed term, and whether the facts support that label.
- Special exclusions: holiday lets, business premises, Crown tenancy, agricultural, long lease, student halls, accredited PBSA, supported accommodation, homelessness temporary accommodation and tied housing.
- Rights impact: likely eviction route, rent-increase route, tenant notice, deposit protection, repairs, written information, court requirement and council/advice route.
- Copyable outputs: landlord status request, adviser summary, council/written-information report, evidence plan and landlord compliance audit.
This checker does not override a court or tribunal. Tenancy type can be fact-sensitive, especially for lodgers, licences, property guardians, supported accommodation, sublets, social housing and old pre-1997 agreements.
Official and advice sources
- GOV.UK — Renters’ Rights Act overview for tenants
- GOV.UK — Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026
- GOV.UK — Private renting: tenancy types and rights
- GOV.UK — Rent a room: lodger tenancy type
- Citizens Advice — Check your housing status if you rent from a private landlord
- Shelter England — Tenancy checker
- Shelter England — Check your tenancy agreement
- mygov.scot — Check what type of private tenancy agreement you have
- mygov.scot — Create a private residential tenancy agreement
- GOV.WALES — Standard occupation contracts guidance
- GOV.WALES — Secure occupation contracts guidance
- nidirect — Private rent and tenancies
- Housing Rights Northern Ireland — Private tenants’ rights
FAQs
What is a Tenancy Type Checker?
A Tenancy Type Checker helps identify the legal status behind a renting arrangement. It looks at the country, landlord type, start date, main home, resident landlord, room sharing, exclusive possession and special exclusions.
Which UK region is this checker for?
The checker is UK-aware but detailed for England after the 1 May 2026 private renting reforms. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use different legal frameworks, so the tool gives region-specific warnings rather than treating all renters the same.
Which department publishes England tenancy reform guidance?
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government publishes the main England private rented sector reform guidance. Court possession processes are handled through the County Court and HM Courts & Tribunals Service.
What is an assured periodic tenancy?
It is a rolling tenancy, usually weekly or monthly, with stronger protection than a lodger or basic-protection occupier. In England private renting after 1 May 2026, most private assured tenants are in this route.
What happened to ASTs on 1 May 2026?
Most England private assured shorthold tenancies automatically became assured periodic tenancies on 1 May 2026. The tenancy did not end, but fixed end dates and new Section 21 no-fault eviction routes no longer operate in the same way.
Can my written agreement label be wrong?
Yes. A document might say “licence”, “AST”, “lodger agreement” or “fixed term”, but the legal status depends on the facts. Courts and advisers look at occupation, sharing, control, landlord residence, start date and exclusions.
What is an excluded occupier?
An excluded occupier is often a lodger who lives in the landlord’s home and shares living accommodation with the landlord or the landlord’s family. This status usually has fewer eviction protections and may only require reasonable notice.
What is an occupier with basic protection?
An occupier with basic protection has fewer rights than an assured tenant but may still require a court order before eviction. It can apply to some non-sharing lodgers, student accommodation or licence-style arrangements.
What if I rent from a council?
Council tenants may be secure, introductory, flexible, demoted or temporary accommodation occupiers depending on the facts. The agreement, start date, homelessness status and any introductory or flexible tenancy notice need checking.
What if I rent from a housing association?
Housing association tenants can be assured, starter, secure, assured shorthold transitional or other special categories. The provider type, tenancy start date, agreement and any probationary/starter terms are important.
What if I am a student?
Students in university halls or some accredited student accommodation may have basic protection or a licence-type route. Students renting privately from a normal private landlord may still be assured tenants if no student-code exclusion applies.
What if I am in supported accommodation?
Supported accommodation can involve tenancy or licence status depending on support, supervision, exclusion rules, provider type and occupation facts. It is a high-risk area for assumptions, so keep documents and get advice before leaving or refusing notice.
What if I rent from my employer?
Tied accommodation can be a service occupancy, service tenancy, assured tenancy or other arrangement. The job link, who owns the property, whether occupation is essential for the job and what happens when employment ends all matter.
What if I live in Scotland?
Most new Scotland private tenancies from 1 December 2017 are private residential tenancies. Older short assured, assured and regulated tenancies can still exist, so the start date and documents should be checked.
What if I live in Wales?
Wales uses occupation contracts under the Renting Homes framework. A renter may be a contract-holder under a standard or secure occupation contract, not an England-style assured periodic tenant.
What if I live in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland private tenants have a separate legal framework with Tenancy Information Notices, notice-to-quit rules and rent-increase rules. England AST/APT labels should not be assumed there.
Is this checker legal advice?
No. It is an issue-spotting and drafting tool only. It does not decide your status, represent you, file court papers or replace advice from a qualified housing adviser or solicitor.
