I am struggling to get an answer as to when or whether OpenRent will introduce a template for a periodic contract that complies with the Renters Rights Bill - I have emailed OpenRent, but the only response has been that the existing ASTs automatically become an Assured Periodic Tenancy. However, the existing ASTs have a number of clauses that are sub-optimal under the new regulations (not least of which is that the notice period is one month, rather than the two month standard of an APT). Does anyone know whether OpenRent is going to change its standard contract template?
If they are not, is there a way in which I can use my own contract but keep all other aspects of the OpenRent platform going (like rent collection etc.).
why not just put in a custom clause that says ‘clauses x, y, z’ are deleted, null and void and will not be enforced.’ for any clauses you don’t want from the standard OR template. If there are no clauses specifying the notice period when an AST becomes period then under RRA the notice period defaults to 2 months. Simples.
But rather unnecessary- whole point of the transition arrangements is to avoid having to do new TAs for every tenancy.
Also OR allow free ‘Renewals’ of tenancy agreements under rent now, so as soon as they have a template available that is legal under RRA with no offending clauses, you will be able to just ‘renew’ using that.
@mod_harry or @Dan4 in OR’s legal team may be able to confirm when a new RRA compliant template will be available, I’d expect on or soon after 1 may.
