Section 81A — Housing and Planning Act 2016: New English secure tenancies to be between 2 and 10 years in general

New English secure tenancies to be between 2 and 10 years in general 81A 1 A person may grant a secure tenancy of a dwelling-house in England only if it is a tenancy for a fixed term that is—

a at least 2 years, and b no longer than the permitted maximum length.

2 The permitted maximum length is 10 years, unless subsection (3) applies.

3 If the person granting the tenancy has been notified in writing that a child aged under 9 will live in the dwelling-house, the permitted maximum length is the period—

a beginning with the day on which the tenancy is granted, and b ending with the day on which the child will reach the age of 19.

4 If a person purports to grant a secure tenancy in breach of subsection (1), it takes effect as a tenancy for a fixed term of 5 years.

5 In deciding what length of tenancy to grant in a case to which this section applies a person must have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State.

6 This section does not apply to the grant of an old-style secure tenancy (as to which, see section 81B).