Many people rent a home based on a verbal agreement with their landlord. This means the agreement is made by talking rather than signing a written contract. In England and Wales, a verbal tenancy agreement may be legally valid. However, not having a written agreement can cause serious problems in the future.
Problems With Claiming Social Benefits
In order to apply for and receive social welfare support, such as housing benefit or universal credit, public authorities require evidence of your tenancy, such as a tenancy agreement or a formal letter from your landlord. If you do not have these documents, your claim for benefits to help with your rent payments may be rejected.
You Do Not Know Who Your Landlord Is
Without a proper written tenancy agreement, you do not have certainty who your landlord is and who is legally responsible for taking care of your property. It may cause all sorts of problems and delays when you seek help from the police or the council. In the worst case, you may fall a victim to a fraud and up rent to someone who has no legal right to the property.
Disagreements About Rent and Bills
Without a written agreement, there may be confusion about how much rent should be paid or whether bills are included. You may believe one thing, while the landlord believes something different and you may end up owing money to your landlord. A written agreement helps make these details clear.
Disputes About the Deposit
A written tenancy agreement can record how much deposit was paid and explain when money can be taken from it. Without this information in writing, disputes about the deposit may be more likely and you risk that your deposit will not be properly recorded and protected. In worst-case scenario and with dishonest landlords, you risk losing your deposit altogether.
It Can Be Harder to Prove Your Case
If a disagreement becomes serious and needs to be dealt with by a court, a written agreement can be important evidence. Without one, the court may have to rely on text messages, emails, bank statements, or what each person says happened. This can make things more difficult to prove and, as with every court litigation, you can lose your case if you have no evidence and court does not believe your version of events.
A Written Agreement Can Help Avoid Problems
A written tenancy agreement helps both sides understand their rights and responsibilities. It provides a clear record of what has been agreed and can help prevent misunderstandings. Having a written tenancy offers you legal and practical protections when things go wrong between you and your landlord.
More information about tenancy agreements can be found Shelter Legal England - Tenancy and licence agreements - Shelter England
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This is in line with the information available as of 25/06/2026.