Amendments to tenancy agreements

A landlord's guide to changing a tenancy agreement

Tenancy agreements are legally binding, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be changed to adapt to your tenant’s circumstances. We highlight some of the most common reasons for tenancy changes, and what you need to do to legally make those alterations.

We look at some of the most common reasons for tenancy changes, and what you need to do to legally make those alterations, while also ensuring your landlord insurance stays valid.

Can a tenancy agreement be changed after signing?

Yes. As a landlord, you can make changes to tenancy agreements, but you must agree on those changes with your tenants before implementing them. The changes you make must also be legal (for example, you cannot ask tenants to pay more for keeping a pet).

How to make a change to a tenancy agreement

If your tenant agrees with the changes, you’ll need to confirm this in writing. Changes can be made in one of three ways: 

Using a tenancy agreement addendum

An addendum is an additional document that you attach to the existing tenancy agreement. It means you can add or alter contract terms without rewriting or reissuing it. An addendum can also be used to clarify a contract.

This method is best for minor changes that don’t alter any fundamental terms of the tenancy. For example, you could use an addendum to confirm that you agree for them to keep a pet or that your tenant can run an office-based business from home. You and your tenant must sign and date the addendum for it to be legally binding.

A deed of variation

A deed of variation is a formal document that sets out modifications to an existing tenancy agreement. Typically, it’s used to record more complex changes that alter the fundamental terms of the original contract, while still keeping that contract active.

Examples of when you might use a deed of variation include adding a new named tenant to the agreement or changing the rent payment schedule.

Drafting a completely new tenancy agreement

Creating a new tenancy agreement means scrapping the old one completely. It’s best for major changes to minimise confusion over liability. For example, if one tenant moves out of a house share, and a new one moves in.

Which is the best method to update a tenancy agreement?

It’s up to you to choose which of these options you use, but if you’d prefer a clear paper trail of changes, an addendum or variation of the tenancy agreement would be most suitable.  

Drawing up a new tenancy agreement means those changes are built in (rather than added on), which can make it harder to keep track of what’s changed. That said, having one updated contract can make it easier to keep all your landlord documents up to date and in one place. 

person holding pen updating tenancy agreement

Does the Renters’ Rights Act mean I need to change a tenancy agreement?

Assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) automatically became assured periodic tenancies (APTs) on the 1st May 2026 when the Renters’ Rights Act came into force. It means that fixed terms no longer exist, so contracts run until your tenants end the tenancy or you issue a Section 8 grounds for possession notice.

You don’t need to reissue any tenancy agreements, and the change from an AST to an APT is automatic. However, you will need to have given your tenant a copy of the Renters’ Rights Act information sheet 2026.

Common reasons for amending a rental contract

Tenancy agreements can be amended for a variety of reasons, including: 

Confirming tenants can keep a pet – tenants must ask you for permission to keep a pet, but the Renters’ Rights Act means you can’t automatically dismiss the request. If you agree, you may want to formalise the decision in an addendum.

Adding or removing a tenant – if a couple splits or you own a house share, you’ll need to update the tenancy contract to reflect these changes. Remember, if tenants are new, you’ll need to check their Right to Rent (in England), and it's advisable to complete referencing and an affordability check.

Setting up a business – you may want to formalise an agreement that your tenant can set up a business from home. If you agree to this, ensure the level of business they plan to run is acceptable to your landlord insurance provider.

Rent changes – if you’ve agreed to any changes to when or how much rent is paid, setting this out formally ensures all parties are clear on their responsibilities. Don’t forget that under the Renters’ Rights Act, you can only increase rent once every 12 months, using the Section 13 process.

How much does it cost to change a tenancy agreement?

If your tenant has asked for changes to the tenancy agreement, the most you can charge them to make these changes is £50 under the terms of the Tenant Fees Act 2019. If making the changes costs you more than this, you can increase it, but the amount must be ‘reasonable’.

If you, the landlord, have requested the change, you cannot charge your tenant anything.

The dangers of verbal agreements

Verbal agreements are legally binding, but they can be hard to prove if there’s a dispute, which can lead to problems with tenants further down the line.

Even if you think you have a good relationship with long-term tenants, having evidence of what’s been agreed upon is important, especially if you want to make a claim on your landlord legal expenses policy. At a minimum, it’s a good idea to confirm changes in a text message or email, but you may not be able to rely on this if you’re challenged in court.  

Having a formal tenancy agreement also helps clarify both the tenant's and the landlord's responsibilities and is often a requirement of landlord insurance policies.

How contract changes affect your landlord insurance

Some changes can affect your landlord insurance, so you’ll need to check the terms and conditions of your policy. Generally, it’s significant changes that will impact policies – for example, if you decide to change the property into a student let or an HMO. If you have legal & rent guarantee insurance, most policies will also expect you to re-run affordability checks on your tenant if you want to increase rent by more than 10%.

Insurance from the property experts

Private landlords face an increasing number of obligations, but fulfilling those responsibilities helps ensure your landlord insurance remains valid.

Formalising an agreement in writing is the most sensible way to record any tenancy changes, minimising misunderstanding and protecting both you and your tenant in the long term. Keeping written documentation can also help support any claims you raise or provide evidence if a claim is made against you.

To learn more about how our award-winning landlord insurance policies can help you, speak to our team.

Speak to us: 01603 216399