Check the paperwork
- Make sure you have a written tenancy agreement and read it carefully to understand your rights and responsibilities. The landlord or agent usually provides one but you can request to use a different version. The government has published a model tenancy agreement that can be used.
- If you have any concerns about the agreement, seek advice before you sign.
- Agree an inventory (or check-in report) with your landlord and, as an extra safeguard, make sure that you take photos. This will make things easier if there is a dispute about the deposit at the end of the tenancy. If you are happy with the inventory, sign it and keep a copy.
- Remember to take meter readings when you move in. This will help make sure you don’t pay for the previous tenant’s bills.
- Contact details. Make sure that you have the correct contact details for the landlord or agent, including a telephone number you can use in case of an emergency.
- Code of practice. Check that whoever is managing the property is following a code of practice.
The landlord must provide you with:
- A copy of the guide “How to rent: the checklist for renting in England” either via a link or as a printed copy.
- A gas safety certificate. The landlord must provide one each year, if there is a gas installation.
- Deposit paperwork. If you have provided a deposit, the landlord must protect it in a government approved scheme. Make sure you get the official information from the scheme, and that you understand how to get your money back at the end of the tenancy. Keep this information safe as you will need it later.
- The Energy Performance Certificate. This will affect your energy bills and the landlord must provide one (except for Houses in Multiple Occupation).
If your landlord doesn’t provide these, they can’t evict you until they do.
The landlord should provide you with:
A record of any electrical inspections. All appliances must be safe and checks every 5 years are recommended.
