Can an assured shorthold tenancy be for less than six months?
Between 15 January 1989 and 27th February 1997 an assured shorthold tenancy had to last for at least six months. If the tenancy agreement or the section 20 notice gave a term of less than six months, even if this was only by one day, then the tenancy could not be an assured shorthold tenancy. This had serious implications for the landlord as he would not be able to use the shorthold ground for possession if the tenancy was not a shorthold one.
