Pre-tenancy

Moving in checklist

For each new tenancy the landlord has a responsibility to: 

• ensure certain documents are provided 
• undertake certain checks on a tenant's right to rent in the UK 
• provide and test a working smoke detection.  

Moving in checklist (Word doc, 117 KB)(opens new window) provides a useful checklist to complete at the start of a new tenancy.

Property inventories

A condition of a landlord licence is to complete a detailed property inventory at the start of each new tenancy. An inventory records and details a property's contents and condition. It makes all parties aware of how the property should be looked after and returned at the end of the tenancy. 

A check out inventory is done at the end of the tenancy. This can be compared to the check in property inventory to see if anything has changed or been damaged.

In the unlikely event a dispute does occur, a signed inventory (by both landlord and tenant) is a key piece of evidence for resolving issues and making any deposit deductions.

Inventory templates and more guidance are available from My Deposits (opens new window).  

'How to Rent' booklet

Landlords in England are required to provide to their tenants, the government booklet How to rent: the checklist for renting in England (opens new window), at the start of each new tenancy.

The provision of this document is a condition of a landlord licence.

Landlords will be restricted from serving a section 21 notice of possession under The Housing Act 1985 (opens new window) if this booklet has not been provided at the correct time.

If a tenant is not given the correct version of the booklet at the right time, the landlord will be restricted from serving a Section 21 notice to regain possession of the property.

We recommend that tenants sign to confirm they've received the 'How to rent' booklet, and included in the check-in inventory.

The gas safety certificate Gas Safe Register (opens new window) and energy performance certificate EPC Register (opens new window) should be provided at the same time. These are required to enable the future use of a section 21 possession notice.