Private tenants can have several different types of tenancy. Some of these give you more rights than others.
It's very important to know what kind of tenancy you have, as it can have a big impact on your rights. The vast majority of private tenants are assured shorthold tenants but it is possible that you have a different type of tenancy. It usually depends on the sort of accommodation you live in and when your tenancy started. You may not necessarily have the type of tenancy that your tenancy agreement, or your landlord, says you have.
For a summary of the different types of private tenancies, download a free Shelter housing advice booklet. You can also use our tenancy checker to confirm what type of tenancy you have, or download a booklet on renting from a private landlord from the Communities and Local Government website.
