So You’ve Found a Tenant – What Now?

A simple, step-by-step guide for UK landlords to start a tenancy properly (and protect yourself).

You’ve found someone who wants to rent your property — great news.
But before you hand over the keys and hope for the best, there are a few must-do steps to make sure you’re protected, legal, and not setting yourself up for stress and cost down the line.

Here’s your no-fuss, practical guide to starting a tenancy the right way in the UK.

🧾 What Documents Do I Need to Start a Tenancy in the UK?

At the start of every tenancy, you must provide your tenant with the following legal documents:

• ✅ Tenancy Agreement (usually an AST)

• ✅ How to Rent Guide – Download latest version from gov.uk »

• ✅ EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) – must be rated E or above

• ✅ Gas Safety Certificate (renewed annually)

• ✅ EICR – Electrical Installation Condition Report (valid for 5 years)

• ✅ Deposit Prescribed Information

• ✅ Your name and an address in England or Wales

Failure to provide these can affect your ability to reclaim possession or defend yourself in a dispute.

✅ Step-by-Step: How to Start a UK Tenancy

1. Credit & Referencing Checks

• Run full referencing, including credit history, income checks, and previous landlord feedback.

• Consider guarantors or rent guarantee insurance if there are any red flags.

🚫 If they don’t pay, it can take months (and £1,000s) to regain possession. Get this part right.

2. Right to Rent Check

• Check and keep copies of passports, visas, or other Home Office-approved ID.

• Right to Rent guidance »

3. Tenancy Agreement

• Use a professional template – the NRLA has excellent up-to-date versions.

• NRLA Tenancy Agreement Info »

4. Take Rent and Deposit

• Don’t hand over keys until both are paid.

• Keep proof of payment.

5. Protect the Deposit

• Use one of the government-approved schemes:

• TDS – Tenancy Deposit Scheme »

• DPS – Deposit Protection Service »

• MyDeposits »

• Provide the Prescribed Information and scheme details within 30 days.

6. Provide All Legal Documents

Give your tenant:

• ✅ The How to Rent guide

• ✅ The EPC

• ✅ The Gas Safety Certificate

• ✅ The EICR

• ✅ Written confirmation of deposit protection

• ✅ Your name and UK address

7. Prepare the Property

• Ensure it’s clean and professionally presented.

• Test smoke alarms and CO alarms (required by law on move-in day).

8. Book an Independent Inventory

This step is essential for protecting your deposit.

At BSI, we often take 700+ photos for a one-bed flat.
Why? Because:

• It removes any doubt later

• Tenants must return the property in the same condition (fair wear and tear excluded)

• If there's no inventory, tenants are legally entitled to 100% of their deposit by default

Inventories aren't a bonus — they're protection.

Your check-in inventory can even be used in court proceedings if the case goes beyond the deposit scheme.

9. Hand Over the Keys

Once everything is signed, paid, protected, and documented — you’re good to go.

✅ Summary: Start Your Tenancy Like a Pro

Step Task

✅Full tenant referencing & credit checks

✅Right to Rent ID check

✅Sign tenancy agreement (AST)

✅Take first rent + deposit

✅Register deposit within 30 days

✅Provide legal documents

✅Clean property + test alarms

✅Complete independent inventory

✅Handover keys (and breathe easy)

🟦 Blue Sky Inventories
Protecting landlords and tenants with reports built to stand up in disputes.
Ready to book your inventory or want help getting started?