Landlord and Agent not accepting rolling month to month (periodic) tenancy and forcing to sign new AST agreement with inflexible terms

Hello all,

Hoping get some advice. I'm living in HMO room in London. Landlord and Agent have increased rent in the previous 2 cycles (conscious in a sad way this has become common story), avg 10%. Current agreement was a 6-month agreement signed in mid-Jan 2025 and ending mid-July.

In Jan 2025, for the currently active agreement, I had asked for a 12-month term but that was offered at an even higher rent compared to 6-months term, and so I compromised with a 6-month term for a slightly lower increase (7%) in rent because we managed to agree some flexibilities - break clause and few terms that allows me reasonable peace of mind. It was very last minute and almost take it or we give you section 21 notice situation. So i took it.

Fast forward now, I asked the agent in advance if they would agree to continue periodic tenancy with currently active terms for 6 more months. I was told that they are prepared to offer same rent for 6-month but I have to sign a new ASTA (Assured Shortheld Tenancy Agreement) they shared and undergo right to rent checks again as that's gov requirement.

New ASTA has many inflexibilities like no break clause, and various additional cost added - like cost for each email, text, sms, the agent sends for anything that is not a responsibility of landlord, possibility for agent & Landlord (who frequently visits the property) to walk into the room to collect meter readings without any advance notice (my room has meter). Agreement says that agent will knock and if no one answers, they will let themselves, no notice will be given. Terms like no guests, and liability to make up for cost of repairs etc across the whole property, previously this was limited to room and proportion of shared areas. There about 10-12 such terms changes

I'm ok to compromise with some but not all of the terms, as it seems a bit unreasonable. Like the ability to let themselves in the room without any notice - in the current agreement I managed to get a reasonable position that I will get 24 hours notice and readings can be done between Monday to Friday, and that I can take readings and share with them. All of this goes away and it again feels a bit like take it or leave it.

My question is, can I deny to sign new ASTA and say that I wish to continue on the monthly rolling (periodic) tenancy?. While I start looking for a new place, where I dont end up in similar situation again. Am I legally in my rights to say this or anything else that this can lead up to (other then section 21 notice which I have been told last time around already)?

Thank you for your help. Also posting the question to Housing UK