Tenancy Agreement document
3 min read
Phil Spencer MBE Founder Move iQ

A Pre-Signing Checklist for your Tenancy

If you’ve found the perfect property to rent, don’t sign on the dotted line straight away. There are many things to check before you sign a tenancy agreement! To help you in this process, here’s a pre-signing checklist for your tenancy.

Check the tenancy type

Before signing an agreement, it’s important to check the tenancy type. In England, assured periodic tenancies are now the most common for private renters.

With an excluded tenancy or license, you will have less protection.

Assured tenancy means you have increased protection, but they’re rarely used due to the difficulties the landlord can experience in gaining possession of the property.

With a regulated tenancy, you have increased protection, and you can apply for a ‘fair rent’. This type of tenancy is often only used for tenancies that have been in operation for a long time.

Read the small print

Before agreeing to a contract, ensure the tenancy agreement includes:

  • The names of all parties involved
  • The rent price and how it is to be paid (you can negotiate on this)
  • When will the rent price be reviewed?
  • The deposit amount, how it will be protected and what it can be used for
  • The rental property’s address
  • The start date of your tenancy, and how it can be ended
  • The bills you will be responsible for

It can also include, but doesn’t have to:

  • How you can end the tenancy early, and how much notice you must give
  • Who is responsible for minor repairs
  • Your obligations on occupying the property, such as whether you can sublet or keep pets, although in England, a landlord cannot unreasonably refuse a request to keep a pet
  • Any agreed works that has to be carried out before, or just after, you move in

Query anything that looks odd, and don’t be afraid to push back on anything you don’t agree with or haven’t seen before. Once you have signed the agreement, it’s very hard to argue against it.

Check the inventory

Immediately upon taking occupation of the property, it is essential to check the inventory and the schedule of condition document.

Regardless of whether you’re renting a furnished or unfurnished property, you should be presented with an inventory at the start of tenancy.

Go through the inventory and make sure everything listed is present and correct. This will help avoid a dispute over your deposit when you move out. Report any discrepancies back to the agent or landlord immediately in writing.

It’s also a good idea to do a video inventory yourself with a commentary on any issues. Make sure you send the agent a copy, so they also have it on record.

Check everything is in working order

Before signing your contract, it’s important to ensure that all fixtures and facilities are in working order.

  • Check the taps
  • Test the smoke alarm
  • Check for damp or mould
  • Test the light bulbs and all switches
  • Check that everything on the inventory is in good working order
  • Check that all locks work

Check your deposit is protected

Before you sign your contract, make sure your deposit is protected.

Your landlord must put your deposit in a government-backed tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receiving it if you rent on an assured periodic tenancy or another tenancy that requires deposit protection. You must be notified of the scheme used.

Extra costs when renting

Other than rent, you will normally be required to pay between up to 5 weeks’ rent as a deposit, or 6 weeks’ rent if the annual rent is £50,000 or more, and up to one month’s rent in advance once the tenancy agreement has been signed.

You will be required to pay the deposit and the first month’s rent either directly to the landlord or to the letting agency. You have to do this before you move in.

If you choose to use a letting agent to help you find a property, check exactly what service they are providing and whether there are any charges for that service.

If the agent is acting for the landlord as part of a normal tenancy, tenants in England should not usually be charged letting agent’s fees. However, you may still need to pay for things like rent, a holding deposit, a tenancy deposit, utilities and council tax.

A holding deposit can also be charged to reserve a property, but it is usually capped at one week’s rent.

These will be listed on their website and will typically cover:

  • Credit checks
  • Reference checks
  • Administration charges

When signing your contract, be thorough and don’t compromise on anything you’re uncomfortable with!

Moving into a new property? Find out more about it and its surrounding area with Phil Spencer’s Property Report, containing information on everything from schools to crime rates.

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Last Updated: June 2nd, 2026