Should you consider longer tenancies?

Last updated: 11/04/2022
4 min read

Tenants signing a tenancy agreement, while their landlord smiles at them from across a table.

For some years now, there have been calls from politicians and housing charities for landlords to offer longer tenancy contracts.

This is down to increased homelessness, a booming Private Rented Sector (PRS) and difficulties getting on the housing ladder due to rising house prices and a lack of affordable supply.

There has been a definite shift in people's attitudes towards private renting over the last decade. Tenants are embracing the flexibility this type of living offers, while there are now more families and older tenants residing in the PRS. Several comparisons have been made to other countries where renting is the principal form of tenure.

All this has led to various discussions around whether landlords should be offering renters longer tenancy terms instead of the six- or 12-month fixed-term agreements most landlords offer. Below, we outline the latest state of play on longer tenancies and some key tips landlords need to consider regarding this subject.

Do tenants want long-term contracts?

The picture is largely a mixed one. Some studies suggest tenants are keen on long-term contracts, while others indicate they'd rather more flexible six- or 12-month agreements.

A study by the Deposit Protection Service found that more than 80% of 40,000 tenants preferred tenancy lengths of longer than 12 months, while between 61% and 69% of 5,000 tenants surveyed by Knight Frank said they wanted tenancy agreements of up to a year.

Alternatively, a survey of students suggests they want three-year tenancies, and various housing charities have indicated a desire for longer PRS tenancies over the years.

Some tenants will be looking for long-term tenancies as it will suit their lifestyle, a trend that has been growing in recent years due to rising house prices and increased PRS standards.

On the other hand, other renters will be looking to move around frequently, trying out different locations and property types. The desire for long-term tenancies will always depend on the tenant's personal circumstances and stage of life.

What are the Government’s plans?

In recent years, the Government has launched several consultations and calls for evidence on the benefits of introducing mandatory longer tenancies.

In April 2019, the results of a consultation - which ran between July and August 2018 - on longer tenancies were revealed. There were 2,668 responses received, combined with a Shelter survey with over 6,000 responses.

The consultation sought responses on whether introducing minimum three-year tenancies would be in the interests of both landlords and renters.

Here are some of the key findings:

79% of tenants had not been offered longer tenancies by landlords, but 81% would accept one if it was available
75% of landlords said they had not offered longer tenancies to renters
12% of all respondents chose three years as their preferred tenancy length
41% of tenants preferred three or five-year contracts, and more tenants favoured five-year or no-limit contracts over three-year terms
66%+ of landlords supported shorter tenancies of six to 12 months

The consultation also found that landlords felt the main barrier to offering longer tenancies is gaining possession of a property through the courts, while the Government said it is clear that 'a one-size approach to tenancy length will not meet the range of households and different types of landlord operating in the market'.

On longer tenancies, Housing Minister Esther McVey commented recently:

"Our consultation on Overcoming the barriers to longer tenancies sought views on the potential benefits of longer tenancies in the private rented sector."

"A number of people responded that increased security would improve tenants’ mental health and well-being. In particular, respondents mentioned that fewer house moves could help tenants have better access to local amenities, such as schools and GP clinics, and feel more integrated into their communities."

Since then, in its Fairer Private Rented Sector white paper, the Government has announced plans to scrap the Section 21 eviction process and that tenants will be moved onto a single system of periodic tenancies, meaning a tenancy will only end if a tenant ends it or a landlord has a valid reason, defined in law.

The advantages of long-term tenancies for landlords

If approached correctly, longer tenancies can provide landlords with various benefits.

They can have greater confidence and peace of mind that tenants will stay for longer. This provides increased security and less risk to their financial investment. If tenants stay longer, costly void periods are minimised. Tenants remaining in situ for longer periods also means landlords can avoid paying tenant-find and referencing costs during changeovers.

There is also an increased chance that tenants will treat the property as their home, communicate issues quickly and generally maintain the home in a positive and caring way. Happy long-term tenants are likely to cause less hassle for landlords and can ensure that their property investment is stable and rewarding.

The disadvantages of long-term tenancies for landlords

Offering long-term tenancies might not work for all landlords and could, in some cases, cause problems. There is, of course, less flexibility as tenants will be tied in for longer. This could cause problems for landlords looking to regain possession of their property, particularly if Section 21 is scrapped.

The more rigid nature of long-term agreements could make it harder for landlords to shift troublesome tenants if they have not breached their tenancy contract. On a wider scale, mandatory long-term tenancies could discourage landlords from operating in the PRS, exacerbating the rental housing shortage.

Pros and cons of longer tenancies for renters

Many of the pros and cons of longer agreements for tenants are similar to those for landlords. Tenants will have greater tenure security but less flexibility and opportunities to move around. Many renters only require short-term accommodation, and long-term tenancies are unlikely to be a one size fits all solution for the PRS.

For tenants, there could sometimes be an issue around understanding the clauses of a long-term contract and what it means for them. Another benefit, however, as mentioned by the Government, is having better access to key amenities such as schools, doctors and dentists due to having a more permanent, long-term base.

Long-term tenancies will likely appeal to the growing number of family renters in the PRS due to the additional security and peace of mind they can offer.

How should landlords approach long-term tenancies?

Unless longer tenancies are introduced on a mandatory basis by the Government, which could still happen, they should be treated with discretion by landlords. You need to think about what's best for you and your tenants. If you choose to offer long-term tenancies, you'll need to ensure that contracts are watertight and that the renter understands their agreement.

Alternatively, some tenants will be happy to continue to sign 12-month renewals with an informal, verbal agreement that the tenancy will last for the medium to long term. Another thing to consider is the likely upcoming changes to the Section 21 process and how this could affect your ability to regain possession of your property.

Whatever you decide, it's best practice to seek advice from lettings and legal experts before committing to any significant changes to your existing tenancy processes.