The rent-to-rent risk that caught out a landlord
5 months ago | 4 comments
AST versus licence in rent to rent agreement?
12:01 AM, 7th April 2026, 2 weeks ago
12
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Hello, I have several properties on a Rent to Rent agreement with a Property Management company.
In view of the Renters’ Rights Act, they have asked their landlords (including me, but I know several of the others) to sign a new agreement which enables them to take room occupiers on under a licence rather than an AST so that they can more easily get rid of difficult and antisocial individuals.
However, I have read that, for example, a ‘real’ licence wouldn’t allow occupiers to lock their room doors, as by doing so they would take possession of a room. Any thoughts? I am afraid I am a bit of a novice landlord as this was passed on to me by my late father.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Suzannah
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Previous Article
Renters' Rights Act and the 12 months relet ban?
Member Since October 2022 - Comments: 408
11:31 AM, 12th April 2026, About 1 week ago
Reply to the comment left by Ben White at 11/04/2026 – 20:07
Susannah
R to R has fewer protections than ASTs and R to R only legal if your own Head leases specifically allows the agent to sublet.
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1171
11:50 AM, 12th April 2026, About 1 week ago
Reply to the comment left by Ben White at 11/04/2026 – 20:07
What type of contract do you have with the agent? I hope its not an AST template as this isnt suitable for a commercial tenancy like this. You need to read the contract, most especially the forfeiture clause to understand the circumstances under which you can end the tenancy with the agent. You should be aware that some less reputable agents amend standard forfeiture clauses or use other tricks to make it difficult/impossible to end the tenancy. If you do manage to end it, you would inherit the occupants as your direct tenants.
Rent to rent was almost always a bad idea in my view. Under the RRA it would be a disaster waiting to happen.