What should I get from the landlord when I rent a property?
Tenancy Agreement:
This is the main document you will get from your landlord. It's a legally binding contract between you and your landlord and this document should include details like:
The names of those involved
The property's full address
The start and end date of the tenancy
The rent amount and how it is to be paid
The deposit amount
Obligations of both the tenant and landlord
Any other relevant terms and conditions specific to your rental agreement
How to Rent Guide:
The ‘How to Rent’ guide is an online document issued by the government, or more specifically the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. It was last updated March 2023 and contains a range of important advice for tenants in both England and Wales. The guide details what to expect from your tenancy and what your responsibilities are, as well as your landlord’s legal obligations.
Landlords are responsible for ensuring their tenants receive a copy of the How to Rent guide before the tenancy begins. This became a legal requirement from 1 October 2015, so make sure you have received it!
When receiving your copy of the How to Rent guide, be sure to read it thoroughly. It’s also useful to refer back to if you are ever unsure about your tenant rights.
Inventory:
You should also receive an inventory of the property, which is a list of all the items and furnishings that are included in the property. You may have to fill this in yourself, such as recording details of any pre-existing damage or missing items. This is important because it will help to avoid any disputes over damage or missing items at the end of the tenancy.
We've written a whole blog about inventories, so if you want more information, read what is an inventory and why do I need one?
Energy Performance and Gas Safety Certificate:
You should receive two forms of certification: Energy Performance and Gas Safety Certificate. If the property has any gas appliances, your landlord should provide you with a Gas Safety Certificate; you don't really need to understand these so don't worry, just make sure you have them! They are a legal requirement in the UK, and it ensures that the gas appliances in the property are safe and in good working order.
Similarly, you should also get an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), which rates the energy efficiency of the property. This will help you understand how much the energy bills for the property will cost. This can be helpful when it comes to arranging bills - for more information on this click here (How should I organise my utility bills? BLOG)
Deposit Protection:
If you are required to pay a deposit, your landlord should protect it with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme. As long as you stick to the rules of this agreement, you'll get the deposit back when you move out. This is covered in greater detail in this blog (Will I get my deposit back? OR What deposit do I have to pay?)
As you can tell, a lot of the documents you should have are actually legally required. They make sure the property is safe, undamaged, and fit to live in. If you're missing any of the information or the documents that you should have been given, ask your landlord or letting agent ASAP to get them sent over.
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