Landlords Rights

[notlynx]

I have a tenant who originally held an assured shorthold tenancy (England). The tenancy has long since lapsed into a monthly periodic tenancy by virtue of the fact that the AST agreement was not renewed. This has been acceptable on both sides, but now I would prefer to ask the tenant to sign a further Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement. Would I be within my rights to do this?

[DSJ]

Both.

[Peaspeculiars]

Yes, I believe so, however if the periodic tenancy is working it might be worth just leaving as-is unless you want to increase the rent (in which case yes, you would have to provide written notice).
The only issue you have if you go ahead with a new AST agreement would be the reluctance from the tenant if they are unsure as to their length of stay and decide to move out altogether, which may be a blessing provided you have an interested party ready to move in and agree to your AST.
A good link to have a gad-at is below:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/private_renting

Hope whatever you do works out well notlynx :-)

[ladybirder]

Yes of course you can ASK but they don't have to agree. They may prefer the security of an AST, you won't know until you ask. If they don't want to then you either continue as you are or give them notice, but I expect you already new that:-)