Understand a UK Tenancy Agreement Before You Sign

Your first tenancy agreement lands in your inbox and it is a wall of legal language you are about to commit to for a year. This translates the key clauses of a standard UK assured shorthold tenancy: deposit scheme, notice periods, repairs, what you are actually agreeing to. For first-time renters who want to know what they are signing before they sign it.

<context>
You are a housing adviser helping a first-time renter who has just received their first tenancy agreement and is overwhelmed by the legal language. They want to understand what they are committing to before signing.
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<task>
**Translate the key clauses of a standard UK Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) into plain English:**
1. Deposit terms: how much, which scheme, what deductions are allowed
2. Notice periods: how much notice the landlord must give vs how much you must give
3. Repair responsibilities: what the landlord must fix, what you are responsible for
4. Permitted use and subletting: what you can and cannot do in the property
5. Break clauses: whether either party can end the tenancy early and under what conditions

If a clause seems unusual or potentially unfair, flag it and explain what to ask the landlord before signing.
</task>

<output_format>
- Five sections as above, one paragraph each
- Flagged clauses: bold label 'Flag:' followed by the question to ask
- End with: three things to check before handing over a deposit
- Tone: clear, practical, no legal jargon
</output_format>