Why you shouldn’t write your own tenancy agreement

While it might be tempting to construct your own tenancy agreements using an online template or to simply ask an AI engine to do it, there are several key reasons why this is not a suitable option for landlords.

No. 5229 from our magazine|2 min read| Published in Magazine on 9 October 2024 by our Marketing Team

Inadequate protection

Tenancy agreements are just as important for protecting landlord rights as they are for tenants. A tenancy agreement that hasn’t been crafted according to local and up-to-date legislation may lack crucial clauses that provide both landlords and tenants with necessary safeguards. These clauses may cover things like property maintenance, rent increases, or handling tenant violations.
When a professional puts together a tenancy agreement for you, they can include provisions that will empower you to take appropriate actions if your tenants breach the terms of the agreement. Agreements crafted without expertise may lack the comprehensive language and the knowledge required to address various disputes that may arise during a tenancy.

Legal compliance issues

Your tenancy agreement is a legally binding document, so it must adhere to the laws of the local jurisdiction. This may sound straightforward, but laws surrounding tenancy agreements can be extremely complex and vary significantly from one place to the next.

A DIY tenancy agreement may not account for the specific legalities of your location, especially if a generalised template has been used. This can leave you vulnerable to both legal and financial repercussions.

Potential for ambiguity and confusion

Poorly written tenancy agreements open up opportunities for miscommunication and ambiguity between landlords and tenants. It’s crucial to use clear and precise language to avoid confusion, as a lack of understanding can lead to disputes over payment schedules, responsibilities, and other important terms. Once disagreements between the landlord and tenant arise, this creates room for legal implications, which could have been easily avoided with a professionally drafted document.

Notice periods

If you aren’t well-versed in the complexities of tenancy agreements, writing your own could mean that you fail to get the paperwork right regarding notice periods. This could subsequently invalidate any notice you need to serve.

Letting agents have their fingers on the pulse for all recent rule changes and updates to notice periods, allowing you the peace of mind of infallible legal compliance.

Possible financial implications

Using an online template or an AI bot to construct a tenancy agreement may seem like a cost-saving measure in the short term, but this can have long-term financial implications. Failure to draft a legally compliant and clear tenancy agreement can expose you to legal battles, fines, or even having to compensate tenants for damages or violations. Whether you’re a first-time landlord or you have an extensive portfolio of properties, it’s essential to opt for a professionally crafted agreement from the outset to safeguard your investment.

Make no mistakes in your tenancy agreement by employing the help of a letting agent.

Thinking of becoming a landlord? Contact our expert lettings team today

This article was originally published by BriefYourMarket and is reproduced here with their permission.

For more company news and insights from Pygott & Crone, click here

HOW CAN WE HELP?