What is a regulated tenancy?

Prior to the Housing Act 1988, regulated tenancies were the most common type of tenancy in the private rented sector. However, since 2 January 1989, apart from under very limited circumstances [1], it has not been possible to create any new regulated tenancies and they are dwindling in number.

Regulated tenancies are characterised by two key features:

• They provide very strong security of tenure, giving the tenants the right to live in their homes until the landlord obtains a possession order.

• Rents are controlled by the fair rents scheme, which enables the imposition of a maximum rent amount by the rent officer.