Renew Your Tenancy Easily with Tenancy Builder

This page explains how to use Tenancy Builder to create a follow-on agreement from an existing tenancy record. The duplicate-and-edit method keeps the old record intact and gives you a new record to amend and build.

For most ordinary residential tenancies, you do not need to create a new agreement just because the original term has ended (where a fixed-term existed). The tenancy usually continues automatically. If the existing residential tenancy still has effect, do not create a fresh agreement simply to change the rent. Use the statutory rent-change route for your tenancy type instead. See the Guild rent-increase guidance for your country if you need more details.

Use the duplicate-and-edit workflow where you have decided that a fresh agreement is needed and you want to base it on an existing record. For example, this may be useful if the landlord and property are the same but the tenant details have changed, there has been a deliberate surrender and regrant, or the agreement is for a tenancy type where a fresh agreement is appropriate.

Duplicate the existing record

1. Go to Tenancy Builder and select Tenancies from the sidebar.
2. Find the tenancy you want to use as the starting point.
3. Open the action button on the left and select Duplicate.
4. The duplicated tenancy will appear at the top of the tenancies list.

Edit the duplicate

1. Open the action button for the duplicated tenancy and select Edit.
2. Update the details needed for the new agreement, such as the dates, tenant details, tenancy type, property details, or documents.
3. Select the appropriate tenancy type for the new agreement. Do not select a tenancy type merely because the old record used it.
4. On the final page, select Save and Build to generate the PDF agreement.
5. If required, use the action button to send the new agreement for digital signing.

Notes

• Duplicate the tenancy rather than editing the old record. Editing the old record overwrites the earlier data.
• If digital signing has already been started, the edit function is not available for that record. Duplicate it, then edit the duplicate.
• Attach the latest EPC, gas safety record and electrical inspection report where available. This is recommended even if the tenant already has the current versions.
• A so-called renewal between the same landlord, property and tenants, even on identical terms, is legally a new tenancy. The duplicate-and-edit workflow creates a new agreement; it does not amend the old one.
• If the tenant composition has changed, it is not a renewal of the same tenancy. You may still use the duplicate method as a quick way to start the new record.