Landlords in Northern Ireland are not obliged to give tenants a tenancy agreement. However, it’s a good idea to ask for a written tenancy agreement so both you and your landlord fully understand your obligations and your rights. A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract. Once you have signed this document, you have committed to pay the rent for the full term of the contract. Think of your tenancy agreement like a contract for a mobile phone. Although the network may occasionally have poor service, or the handset might have faults you have to keep paying the bill and must allow the phone provider an opportunity to resolve any problems.