Documents to Serve

These documents must be served correctly. Failure to do so can prevent you from serving a valid possession notice.

• Tenancy agreement — signed by all parties, copy provided to tenant
• Required written tenancy information — for tenancies from 1 May 2026, prescribed information about key terms must be provided before the tenancy is signed or otherwise agreed; confirm it was provided at or before signing
• Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — copy provided to tenant
• Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) — copy provided to tenant
• Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) — copy provided to tenant
• Deposit prescribed information — served within 30 days of receipt
• Emergency contacts sheet
• Tenant welcome pack

Financial

• First month's rent received (cleared funds)
• Deposit received (cleared funds)
• Holding deposit deducted from first payment or returned
• Deposit protection arranged (or noted for completion within 30 days)
• Standing order set up for ongoing rent payments
• Rent payment date confirmed with tenant

Property Handover

• Inventory completed and signed by both parties
• Move-in photographs taken and dated
• Meter readings recorded — gas, electricity, water
• Keys handed over — all sets accounted for
• Key receipt signed by tenant
• Smoke alarms tested in tenant's presence
• CO alarm tested in tenant's presence (where present)
• Stopcock location shown to tenant
• Fuse box / consumer unit location shown to tenant
• Boiler operation explained to tenant
• Appliance instruction manuals provided
• Bin collection days and recycling information provided

Notifications (Within First 30 Days)

• Gas supplier notified of new occupant and opening meter reading
• Electricity supplier notified of new occupant and opening meter reading
• Water supplier notified of new occupant and opening meter reading
• Council tax office notified of new tenancy start date
• Deposit protected and prescribed information served (if not done on move-in day)

Landlord Records to Retain

• Signed tenancy agreement
• Signed inventory
• Signed move-in checklist
• Signed key receipt
• Document serving record (evidence of all documents served)
• Move-in photographs (dated)
• Opening meter readings
• Right to rent check records
• Deposit protection certificate and reference number

Related Resources

• New Tenancy Timeline — full process from referencing to move-in
• Document Serving Record — log all documents served with evidence
• First 90 Day Planner — manage the critical first three months
• Property Ready Checklist — confirm property is ready before move-in
• Tenant Welcome Pack — professional welcome document for new tenants