by Christopher Brown e , exclusively for Property Secrets

I've got a confession to make. Although I've been a landlord for more than a decade I had only ever read one tenancy agreement. Until last week, when I managed to get through six of them.

The reason for my unlandlordly behaviour is that I've always used the same agreement or contract. It's the gospel according to Oyez. It costs £5 and you can buy it from the London-based stationer online or by post with discounts for 10 or more.

I like its brevity - it is only three pages long and covers all the basics like utility bills, council tax, rent arrears and the general upkeep of a property. It once had a clause asking tenants to shampoo the carpets before they left until Oyez discovered how much carpet-cleaning companies charged and laminated floors caught on.

You'd think there would be a standard contract for every assured shorthold tenancy (AST), but you'd be wrong. There are in fact an infinite variety of them being studied, signed or sworn at in tenancies all over the UK. Why? Because there is no law to say otherwise.