Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)
An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) is the most common type of residential tenancy in England where a private landlord lets a property to an individual as their only or main home. It gives the tenant important rights to occupy and quietly enjoy the property, while allowing the landlord to recover possession using specific legal routes.
Historically, ASTs allowed landlords to end the tenancy after any fixed term, or during a periodic tenancy, by serving a so-called “no fault” Section 21 notice, provided that strict procedural rules were followed.
The Renters' Rights Act is abolishing Section 21 and moving to a system where most ASTs become open-ended, with landlords only able to recover possession on specified legal grounds, similar to the existing Section 8 grounds.
ASTs must comply with a range of statutory protections for tenants, including deposit protection, limits on fees, safety standards, energy performance requirements and notice rules. Tenants under an AST have the right to quiet enjoyment, protection from unlawful eviction and harassment, and access to redress and enforcement routes if the landlord fails to meet their obligations.
Also see our free landlord blog articles, including:
Evictions in 2026: navigating Section 21 abolition for landlords
