It’s important to understand what type of tenancy a tenant is in, or is being offered. Different rules apply depending on the nature of the tenancy and there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of arrangement.
Periodic tenancies
A periodic tenancy is open-ended and ongoing, with no end date. If either the landlord or tenant wants to bring a periodic tenancy to an end, they have to give written notice, following the rules in the Residential Tenancies Act.
Fixed-term tenancies
A fixed-term tenancy is one where the tenancy agreement gives a definite end date for the tenancy.
Room-by-room tenancies
A room-by-room tenancy is one where the tenant only rents the room, rather than the whole flat. Facilities such as a kitchen and bathrooms are shared with other tenants. If there are 6 or more tenants then this may be a boarding house.
Boarding house tenancies
A boarding house tenancy is where the rental property is, or is intended to be, rented by at least 6 tenants. Each tenant rents their own room or sleeping area in the property, and they share communal facilities (eg, kitchen, bathroom, laundry).
A boarding house tenancy lasts for a period of 28 days or more.
Service tenancies
A service tenancy is where accommodation is provided as part an employment agreement, or otherwise related to the tenant being employed or contracted.
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