• Tenancy at Will

    Are you on a Tenancy at Will and need help or support?

🏠 What Is a Tenancy at Will?

A Tenancy at Will is a short-term agreement that allows either party—landlord or tenant—to terminate the arrangement with minimal notice. It’s often used when a pub is in limbo, awaiting refurbishment, sale, or a new long-term tenant. These agreements typically involve:

  • Token rent levels (sometimes as low as £10/week or even waived temporarily)
  • No security of tenure
  • Limited investment or support from the pub company
  • Short notice periods—often just 7 to 21 days

⚠️ Challenges Faced by TAW Publicans

Publicans under TAWs often find themselves in precarious positions:

  • Promises to do work after you get “in” but then not carrying out the work.
  • Being misled over refurbishments in exchange for a substantial agreement
  • Rents are being hiked up or vastly different to what was offered at the outset
  • Dilapidations and maintenance costs can be unexpectedly high. Has there been any failure to repair the pub or foot-dragging over works?
  • Safety Compliance Certification was it carried out or are there gaps in the dates or items overlooked?
  • Limited profitability due to lack of investment, marketing, or operational support
  • Legal ambiguity—some agreements labelled as TAWs may actually function as licences, offering even less protection
  • Pressure or encouragement to spend your own money on improvements/ the building despite the short-term nature of the agreement

🛠️ Support and Resources

    • Free guides and podcasts
    • One-on-one consultations
    • Help with defining disputes
    • Advocacy with the Pubs Code Adjudicator and government bodies

PAS are experts in identifying unfair business practices in pub letting agreements. We have won many battles against the pub companies. The Pubs Code etc. Regulations 2016 too cover many aspects of the relationship with a regulated pub company.

Our expert service can help with all types of situations

Check service:

  • We check pub company actions and documents under The Pubs Code etc. Regulations 2016 and establish breaches of the code.
  • We explain what the options are and possible remedies and routes of redress.

If you would like a review of your options, please get in touch via our contact form HERE.