Pre-Tenancy Considerations for Landlords
Before a tenancy begins, landlords must address several important considerations, including deposits, inventories, tenancy agreements, setting the rent, and various compliance requirements.
Tenant Vetting Process
Pre-tenancy checks are essential for landlords to ensure a prospective tenant is suitable before formalizing the agreement. This process typically involves conducting tenant credit checks, obtaining references, and finalizing the contract details. The nature of the contract, whether for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) or a single occupancy, culminates in a signed agreement, most commonly an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement. Note from May 2026, it will be a legal requirement to make a written offer to the prospective tenant.
Understanding Obligations and Documentation
It is crucial that both the landlord and the tenant fully understand their obligations. Therefore, landlords or agents should always provide prospective tenants and any guarantors with sufficient time to review the entire tenancy agreement before signing.
Signing the Agreement and Essential Documents
The typical arrangement is for both parties to sign the tenancy agreement as the tenancy commences, at which point the inventory is also jointly checked and agreed upon. For assured tenancies, several other critical documents must accompany the signed agreement. These include:
- Gas safety certificates
- Electrical safety certificates
- Deposit protection scheme details
- The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- The government’s How to Rent guide
