The move to periodic tenancies under the Renters’ Rights Act will remove the fixed-term breakpoints agents rely on to reset responsibility, manage deposits and close out a let, Mydeposits has warned.

Without those natural endpoints, tenant swaps within ongoing tenancies are likely to increase, leaving agents to manage changes mid-let without a clear check-in and check-out.

They are more common in shared homes such as HMOs and flatshares, but Mydeposits now expects them to become more widespread.

Tim Frome (pictured), Head of Government Schemes of Mydeposits, says: “The removal of fixed terms changes the rhythm of tenancy management.

Agents are used to working with a clear endpoint where responsibility is agreed and documented.”

“Agents are used to working with a clear endpoint where responsibility is agreed and documented.”

Agents will have to decide whether to treat each swap as a full tenancy reset or continue relying on the original inventory.

The first approach, says Frome, provides clarity but increases cost and administration, while the second requires tighter control of documentation.

“It is not enough for a check-in report to exist. Incoming tenants must have access to it, understand it, and explicitly agree to it.”

Disputes

He warns that failure to secure that agreement risks disputes over when damage occurred and who is responsible.

“Disputes are not always just between landlord and tenant. In shared households, disagreements between tenants themselves are not uncommon.”

Frome advises agents will need clear, documented evidence that incoming tenants have accepted the original inventory to reduce the risk of disputes as tenancy changes become more frequent.