General (main property discussion here) - AST versus Licensing

Can anyone help with this please? What is the difference between AST and licensing, (or private licensing)(as in very short stay or boarding…)?

Thanks in advance,

PO

Hi, PO. AST is short assured tennancy (SAT in Scotland). This is the most common form of contract or lease between landlord and tenant. If you use an agent or solicitor this is most likely what they'll use. Or you can DIY with your own AST - try www.lawpack.co.uk - you can buy a self help kit for residential letting from them. Licencing is usually between the local authority and the landlord and there are quite a few types: HMOs/B&B/Hotels etc. You may need to upgrade safety features depending on what type of licence you need eg fire doors/fire alarms etc. Your local authority/council office should be able to help. K

Hi K,

That's the answer I was looking for, thanks. I've had a spot of bother recently with a tenant (council pays tenant, tenant spends rent on drink and cigs... you know the story...).

I'm currently being taken for an unpleasant ride with repossesion etc... So for the other properties I was considering the licence route with shorter stays...

Regards, PO