Most private tenants start a tenancy with a fixed term assured shorthold tenancy (AST) of 6 months or one year.

You have an AST if: you don’t share any accommodation with your landlord and your tenancy started after 28th February 1997. You won’t have an AST if your rent is over £100,000 per annum or less than £250 per year (£1,000 in London). You can check your housing status using: england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/downloads_and_tools/tenancy_rights_checker

For information about finding a home to rent see: citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/private-renting/finding-a-home-to-rent/

NOTE: some landlord/letting agents won’t rent to people who are on Housing Benefit or the housing cost payments of Universal Credit. You do not have to tell them unless they ask you. Having good references from a previous letting agent/landlord regarding prompt rent payments can help.

Points to note before agreeing to rent – in order to assess if you can afford it:

* Check how much the rent is, when and how it should be paid

* Does the rent include any bills?

* How long is the rental period? Can you renew your tenancy or end it early?

* How much you need to pay before you move in – for example, deposit and rent in advance.

* How will your tenancy deposit be protected?

Do check carefully the contract before signing. On moving in, make sure the inventory is agreed – and take photos of any existing damage. This will reduce the potential for disputes about the deposit at the end of a tenancy.

The tenancy deposit must be ‘protected’ in a tenancy deposit scheme (TDP) until you move out of the property. The landlord will face penalties if it is not. See: citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/during-your-tenancy/check-your-landlord-has-protected-your-deposit/

For more information about renting privately see: citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-privately/

Next week we look at ending a fixed term tenancy.