What is a short assured tenancy?

A short assured tenancy is a form of assured tenancy. [1] Therefore, to be a short assured, a tenancy must:

• meet the requirements for the creation of a lease under Scots common law - for more information, see the section on leases

• meet the statutory requirements of the creation of an assured tenancy [2] - (see what is an assured tenancy) and not fall under any of the exceptions to assured tenancies [3]

• meet the statutory requirements for the creation of a short assured tenancy [4] - see creating a short assured tenancy.

From 1st of December no new short assured tenancies can be created. Private tenancies created after this date are likely to be private residential tenancies.

Tenants whose short assured assured tenancy started before this date will continue to be short assured tenants until such time as the tenancy is ended or if they agree in writing with their landlord to convert to a private residential tenancy.  However where there are any uncertainties over this please see the page Short assured or private residential tenancy