While English law recognises such brief terms under the Law of Property Act 1925, courts usually interpret them as contractual licences, not tenancies. Cases from Taylor v Caldwell to Krell v Henry illustrate that short, purpose-specific grants (such as hiring a concert hall or viewing the coronation procession) confer mere licences.
Yet Pawlowski notes no legal impossibility in very short leases, citing Irish and Australian precedents. Statutory changes will soon reshape the landscape: the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 will abolish assured shorthold and fixed-term tenancies, converting all residential lettings into periodic tenancies. Business leases under six months, meanwhile, remain outside Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 protection.
The shortest lets, he concludes, still pose lengthy questions of classification.
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