Moving in

Moving in check-list

If you have an assured shorthold tenancy (AST), your landlord should provide the following documents:

Document	When it should be provided
Copy of your tenancy agreement	Before you move in or at the time of moving in
Check-in inventory and schedule of condition	At the time of moving in
Gas Safety Certificate See the section on gas safety.	Before you move in
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) This provides details on the energy performance of the property you are renting. Each property receives a rating between A-G. It’s against the law to rent a property that has a rating below E. Find out more about EPCs on their website.	At the time of moving in
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) This provides information on the condition of the fixed electrical installations in the property. See the section on electrical safety.	Within 28 days of moving in
‘How to Rent’ Booklet This is a booklet produced by the government. You can find a copy of the version currently in force on their website.	Before you move in or at the time of moving in
Deposit Protection Certificate and ‘Prescribed Information’ See the section on deposit protection.	Within 30 days of you paying the deposit

Keep copies of all paperwork provided to you by the landlord or letting agent.

Remember to sort out the following when you first move in to your new property:

Inventory
Scroll down to see the section on inventories.
Bills for gas, water and electricity
See the section on bills.
Council Tax exemption
See the section on council tax.
Internet
See the section on internet.
TV Licence
See the section on TV licence.
Insurance
See the section on insurance.

Moving in check-list

If you have an assured shorthold tenancy (AST), your landlord should provide the following documents:

Document	When it should be provided
Copy of your tenancy agreement	Before you move in or at the time of moving in
Check-in inventory and schedule of condition	At the time of moving in
Gas Safety Certificate See the section on gas safety.	Before you move in
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) This provides details on the energy performance of the property you are renting. Each property receives a rating between A-G. It’s against the law to rent a property that has a rating below E. Find out more about EPCs on their website.	At the time of moving in
Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) This provides information on the condition of the fixed electrical installations in the property. See the section on electrical safety.	Within 28 days of moving in
‘How to Rent’ Booklet This is a booklet produced by the government. You can find a copy of the version currently in force on their website.	Before you move in or at the time of moving in
Deposit Protection Certificate and ‘Prescribed Information’ See the section on deposit protection.	Within 30 days of you paying the deposit

Keep copies of all paperwork provided to you by the landlord or letting agent.

Remember to sort out the following when you first move in to your new property:

Inventory
Scroll down to see the section on inventories.
Bills for gas, water and electricity
See the section on bills.
Council Tax exemption
See the section on council tax.
Internet
See the section on internet.
TV Licence
See the section on TV licence.
Insurance
See the section on insurance.

Goodenough College, Postgraduate London Living

Goodenough College, London

Inventories

What is an inventory?

An inventory is a written record of the property that you are going to rent. It should list each room or area of the property, including any garden, as well as all the fixtures, furniture and appliances within each room.

It should also record the condition of everything, such as whether the rooms are clean or if there is any damage.

A good inventory will also include photographs.

What should I do when I move in?

Carry out a ‘check-in’ inventory with the landlord or agent. Sometimes an independent inventory clerk will carry out the inventory.

Ask to see a copy of the inventory report.

Check the inventory report to see if there are any mistakes or omissions. Let the landlord or agent know in writing as soon as possible if you disagree with the inventory report.

Does an inventory cost anything?

It can do, but it is not for the tenant to pay for. The Tenant Fees Act 2019 banned landlords and letting agents from charging tenants to pay for check-in and check-out fees. The cost will need to be met by the landlord or agent.

For more information, see the section on tenant fees.

What if the landlord does not want to do an inventory?

You should write one yourself.

Send a copy to the landlord or agent, along with dated photographs, as soon as possible after you move in. Ask the landlord or agent to confirm that they have received it.

What should I do when I move out?

An inventory should also be carried out at the end of the tenancy.

The ‘check-out’ inventory is compared with the ‘check-in’ inventory and used by the landlord or agent to determine:

If additional cleaning is required
If any damage or deterioration, beyond fair wear and tear, has occurred during the tenancy

If the check-out inventory is scheduled to take place in your absence, make sure you carry out your own inventory and take dated photographs while you still have access to the property.

It is a good idea to carry out another inventory check if there is a change of tenant mid-way through a tenancy.

Why ‘dated’ photographs?
You might need to prove that the inventory and the photographs you provide are an accurate representation of the property at a certain point in time. If you take a photo with a mobile phone, it will usually place a ‘date stamp’ on the file. This will help to prove when the photo was taken if there are any disputes.

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