AST (assured shorthold tenancy)

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Formal Neutral

What it really means

The most common type of tenancy contract in England, usually for 6 or 12 months. It gives you the legal right to live there and protects your deposit. Most private rentals and student houses use an AST. GOV.UK explains the details.

Chinese explanation

英格兰最常见的租约类型，通常为6或12个月。它赋予你居住权并要求保护押金。大多数私人出租和学生房都用 AST。详情见 GOV.UK。

Example conversation

A: What kind of contract is it? B: A standard twelve-month AST with a break clause at six months.

A：是什么类型的合同？ B：标准的十二个月 AST，第六个月有解约条款。

What you could say back

“Does the AST include a break clause?”

Related phrases

Tenancy agreement Fixed term Break clause

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake