Is a formal tenancy agreement between the tenant and the landlord required?
Yes. The landlord must complete the following steps: 1. draw up a written document setting out the terms of the short assured tenancy; 2. give a copy of the document to the tenant; properly executed by the tenant and the landlord (e.g. signed before a witness); and 3. not charge the tenant anything for the document. A tenant who does not have a written document or who believes his written document does not fairly reflect the terms of his tenancy can apply to the sheriff to have a document drawn up or to have the existing one adjusted.
