Requesting statuatory periodic fair and the norm?

[GJMSurrey]

I'm wondering if anybody could provide an opinion on this? Please note that I do not yet know if tthe enant is letting through an agent or directly from landlord, so I assume both cases.

Can a Landlord or Letting Agent force a Tenant to sign a new 12 month AST after the initial one comes to an end?

Clearly the Tenant can stand his ground and say he wants the AST to convert to a statuatory periodic, but in reality would this risk the Landlord (Letting Agent) getting upset and them issuing a section 21?

The tenant I am asking for does not know what the future will bring and to keep signing 12 month contracts pretty much negates the benefit of having 1 month notice periods. Equally, the tenant is concerned that if they refuse to sign a new AST they may lose their property.

What is the real life expectation/norm in such circumstances these days?

Thanks for any opinons

[Lawcruncher]

A landlord certainly cannot force a tenant to take a new fixed term. However, as you suggest, a landlord can issue a section 21 notice. Whether a sensible landlord does or not depends on how he sees the situation.

When agents come into the equation it can start to get a bit complicated because some agents will see the chance to do a bit of churning.

[Snorkerz]

A middle ground may be to ask for a 6 month agreement - there is no set length for a tenancy agreement, it can be as short or as long (with some exceptions) as both parties agree.

[jeffrey]

You ask re "Requesting statutory periodic fair and the norm?"

T does not 'request' any such. An SPT arises by automatic operation of law, following expiry of a fixed term AST/SAT.