Whether you’re a landlord or tenant, lettings terminology can often be confusing. This guide explains the most common rental and tenancy terms in simple, easy-to-understand language to help you feel more confident throughout the lettings process.
- ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) – Free service to resolve deposit disputes.
- Assured Periodic Tenancy – A rolling tenancy, usually month to month.
- Assignment – Transferring the tenancy to another person (less common, often restricted).
- Breach of Tenancy – Using the property for illegal activity or causing a nuisance.
- Check-out Report – Document comparing the property condition at start and end of tenancy.
- Deposit (Security Deposit) – Money held to cover damage, dilapidations like decoration, cleaning, missing items, keys/lock changes, gardening, rubbish removal, or unpaid rent etc.
- Dilapidations – Damage or issues beyond normal wear and tear.
- DPS (Deposit Protection Service) / TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme) / MyDeposits – Government-approved schemes where your deposit must be protected.
- EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) – Safety check of electrical systems.
- EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) – Shows how energy-efficient a property is (rated A–G).
- Fair Wear and Tear – Reasonable deterioration over time.
- Fitness for Human Habitation – Requirement that properties are safe, healthy, and free from serious hazards.
- Fixed Term – The initial agreed length of the tenancy (e.g., 6 or 12 months) (only non-housing act tenancies from 1.5.26 can be agreed on a fixed term).
- FTT (First-Tier Tribunal) – An independent body that resolves disputes between tenants and landlords and can make legally binding decisions.
- Fully Managed – Agent handles day-to-day management, repairs, and tenant communication.
- Gas Safety Certificate (GSC) – Annual check confirming gas appliances are safe.
- Guarantor – Someone who agrees to pay rent if the tenant cannot and legally fulfils all tenants’ obligations under the tenancy agreement.
- HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) – System used to assess hazards in rental properties.
- HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) – A property rented by at least 3 people who are not from one household but share facilities.
- Holding Deposit – A payment to reserve the property before signing the tenancy.
- How to Rent Guide – Government document landlords must provide to tenants.
- Inventory & Schedule of Condition – A detailed report of the property’s condition at move-in.
- Joint and Several Liability – If there are multiple tenants, each is individually responsible for the full rent and obligations.
- Joint Tenants – Two or more people sign the same tenancy agreement. Everyone is equally responsible for the whole rent, not just “their share”. Everyone is jointly liable for damage, rent arrears, and other obligations. If one tenant doesn’t pay, the landlord can pursue any or all tenants for the full amount.
- Key Handover – The point when the tenant receives keys and takes responsibility for the property.
- Landlord (LL) – The property owner.
- Let Only – Agent finds a tenant but does not manage the property.
- Managing Agent – Company or person acting on behalf of the landlord.
- Mandatory Reasons – Landlords must specify a legal “ground for possession,” such as rent arrears (Ground 8) or antisocial behaviour (ASB).
- New Grounds – New grounds include landlord intention to sell (Ground 1A) or move into the property.
- No Fault Evictions Phased Out – Section 8 becomes the primary, mandatory route, replacing the no-fault Section 21.
- Notice Period – Amount of time required to end the tenancy (e.g., 2 months).
- Notice Periods – Mandatory grounds (like rent arrears).
- PCM – Per calendar month.
- P/F – Part Furnished.
- Prescribed Information – Legal details about the deposit that must be given to tenants.
- PW – Per week.
- Rent Arrears – Rent that has not been paid on time.
- Rent Arrears (Ground 8) – If the tenant owes at least two months’ rent, the judge is obligated to order eviction but may pause if the tenant reduces arrears or presents a repayment plan.
- Rent Review Clause – Clause allowing rent to be increased under specific conditions.
- Right to Rent – Legal requirement to check tenants’ immigration status in the UK.
- Routine Inspection – Periodic visits by the landlord/agent to check property condition.
- Section 8 Notice – Notice served when a tenant breaks the tenancy agreement, such as failing to pay rent or causing antisocial behaviour.
- Tenants in Common – Usually a sale term; a way for two or more people to own a property where each person owns a separate share.
- U/F – Unfurnished.
- Vacant Possession – Property is empty and ready for the tenant to move in.
