Essential steps before you move in

What to check before signing your agreement 

Tenancy Agreement

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.

Inventory

Agree an inventory (or check in report) with your landlord before you move in 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.

Meter Readings

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. You are legally entitled to know the name and address of your landlord.

Code of practice

Check whether whoever is managing the property is following a code of practice.

 

The landlord must provide you with:

• a copy of the 'how to rent' guide
• a gas safety certificate. The landlord must provide one at the start of the tenancy and within 28 days of each annual gas safety check, if there is a gas installation.
• deposit paperwork. If you have provided a deposit, the landlord must protect it in a government approved scheme within 30 days and provide you with prescribed information about it. Make sure you get the official information from your landlord, 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.
• a copy of the Energy Performance Certificate

This will affect your energy bills and the landlord must provide one (except for Houses in Multiple Occupation). Properties let on tenancies entered into after 1 April 2018 must have an EPC rating of at least ‘E’ (unless a valid exemption applies).

If your tenancy started or was renewed after 1 October 2015 your landlord cannot evict you with a Section 21 notice (no fault eviction) if they have not provided you with these documents. You can still be evicted with a Section 8 notice if you break the terms of your tenancy.

The landlord should also provide you with:

• a record of any electrical inspections. All appliances must be safe and checked every 5 years are recommended.
• evidence that smoke alarms and any carbon monoxide alarms are in working order at the start of the tenancy. Tenants should then regularly check they are working.

 

Document checks

Your landlord will need to check your documents to prove that you have a right to rent property in England if you’re:

• starting a tenancy on or after 1 February 2016.
• renting it as your main home.

 

Exemptions

You won’t have to prove your right to rent if you live in:

• student accommodation, for example halls of residence
• accommodation provided by your employer as part of your job or training
• social housing
• accommodation provided by the council
• hostels and refuges
• a care home, hospital or hospice
• accommodation with a lease of 7 or more years

Check the full list of exemptions from the right to rent property checks.

 

What your landlord must do

Your landlord (or letting agent) must:

• check your original documents to make sure you have the right to rent a property in England
• check the documents of any other adults living in the property
• make copies of your documents and keep them until you leave the property
• return your original documents to you once they’ve finished the check

Read the list of acceptable documents.

Your landlord must not discriminate against you, for example, because of your nationality.

 

If the Home Office has your documents

If the Home Office has your documents because of an outstanding case or appeal, ask your landlord to check with the Home Office. Give your landlord your Home Office reference number to do the check.

 

Some circumstances mean you can still rent in the UK

In some circumstances, you can still rent even if you aren’t allowed to stay in the UK, for example if you’re:

• a victim of slavery
• using the Home Office’s voluntary departure scheme

Check with the Home Office team that’s dealing with your case.

Your landlord will have to check with the Home Office.

 

Repeat checks

You won’t have a further check if you stay in the same property and either:

• you’re British or from an EEA country
• you have no time limit on your right to stay in the UK

Your landlord will have to make a repeat check if there’s a time limit on your right to stay in the UK.

Your landlord will ask to see your documents again just before your permission to stay runs out, or after 12 months, whichever is longer