Witnessing signing an AST

Most people when they issue tenancy agreements forget the importance of having a witness present to sign the tenancy agreement.

If any of the below apply to you then you will need a witness:-

Term does not start immediately - the start date of the tenancy is to be after the proposed date of signing the tenancy agreement.
The landlord is a limited company
There is a Guarantor
Tenancy period is to be more than 3 years. This must then be a deed
Rent does not represent market value. This is when renting typically to a family member

Who can be the Witness?

Mistakes are expensive.

Tenants owe their Landlord £3500, the Landlord sues the Gaurantor. The Landlords claim is invalidated as the Guarantors signature was not witnessed or witnessed by inappropiate person.