Guide to our Tenancy At Will Template

Here is our summary of the guide on Legalo’s Tenancy at Will template which a landlord can use for letting its commercial property on a relatively informal, short-term basis.  The template is not as detailed as a lease would be – we have deliberately designed the tenancy at will to be a much simpler and briefer agreement than a lease.

This is not a substitute for a proper lease where (a) you want a longer-term letting, (b) where the tenant will be the exclusive occupant of the premises, or (c) if the landlord seeks greater protection. Legalo have a template for a Lease available if you need one.

You may also consider using a Licence to Occupy instead if the premises are being shared with others, e.g. the landlord, and used not exclusively by the tenant and are expected to be let for a fairly short term (say, up to 12 months).

Here’s more details on what tenancies at will are all about, in general terms, from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lease#Tenancy_at_will.

Clauses in the Tenancy at Will

Date – Fill in only the year right now.  You can complete the rest when the parties have signed it.

Party clauses – Fill in the names of the parties and their addresses here.

Numbered clauses of this Tenancy at Will

1. Interpretation

In this clause we have defined the terms used.

• Permitted Use – Fill in what the tenant is permitted to use the property for.  You can link this to the planning law classifications of use, but, if not, delete the rest of the definition.
• Permitted Hours – Fill in the details of the hours the tenant can use the property here.
• Property – Identify the building and its address here. To do so, a scale plan may help.
• Rent – Fill in the amount of the rent here. This is the “basic” rent payable under the tenancy at will. Therefore set it high enough to cover:

a. service charges charged on shared areas of the property;

b. non-domestic rates and water rates (but not other utilities charges); and

c. buildings insurance.

2. Grant of tenancy

This provides for an indefinite period of rental – it can be terminated by either party immediately on notice.  (If either party seeks a longer period of notice or a more definite period of occupation, perhaps a lease would suit the parties better.)

3. Tenant’s obligations

In clause 3.1.1 state when the monthly rent falls due.  Clause 3 lists what the tenant must do or must not do and that the tenant is responsible for a fair share of the utilities costs.