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Less than 10% of renters are in favour of new three year tenancies, figures claim.

A recent study has revealed that, contrary to Government proposals, UK tenants don’t want longer contracts, with only 7.2% stating that they would prefer a tenancy lasting three years.

The research from online letting agent MakeUrMove found that instead, 30% of tenants want contracts to last 12 months, and a further 20% want them to last for no more than two years.

It follows a recent Government consultation into new three-year minimum tenancies, which would include a six month break clause option. The proposals are designed to protect tenants from eviction.

While the outcome of the consultation is yet to be published, these new findings show tenants may prefer flexibility and freedom when it comes to tenancies, with 31% saying flexibility was the most important factor when looking at the length of their tenancy.

A total of 29% of tenants stated that they’d actually like a tenancy to last significantly longer than three years, and nearly half of the tenants questioned had spent more than five years in their current rental property.

MakeUrMove managing director, Alexandra Morris, commented: "Many tenancy agreements are currently set at twelve months with a six months break clause and we’ve found nearly a third of tenants are happy with this length. Our findings reinforce that the majority of people want either the flexibility of a shorter rental, or the security of a much, much longer term.

"The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that ‘being able to call your rental property your home is vital to putting down roots and building stronger communities’, yet our research shows that 87% of tenants already think of their rental property as a home under the current regulations."

The findings also revealed that 59% of tenants surveyed had been the ones to give notice on their last tenancy, with just 3% being evicted by the landlord.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

"While we don’t yet know the outcome of the consultation, our study suggests three-year minimum tenancies aren’t going to address tenants key concerns around their rental properties," Alexandra added.

"The Government has once again looked at an issue in isolation with no regard for other related issues and proposed regulations."

Citizens Advice - who recently revealed a rise in revenge evictions - said it backs the Government's pledge to deliver longer contracts, but said it must address issues with security and flexibility first.

It said the Government must include limits on rent rises to prevent landlords from effectively evicting tenants through pricing them out while allowing tenants to leave contracts early if the landlord doesn't uphold legal responsibilities.

Gillian Guy, at Citizens Advice, added: "Our report shows that well-intentioned laws created to put an end to revenge evictions have not worked, and a new fix is needed.

"There are serious question marks over the existence of a power that allows landlords to unilaterally evict tenants without reason - known as section 21.

"While Government plans for minimum three-year tenancies is a step in the right direction, these changes must be strong enough to genuinely prevent revenge evictions once and for all."