Starting a New Tenancy
Everything you need to set up a new tenancy correctly — from finding and checking a tenant to handing over the keys.
Finding & Checking a Tenant
Before you accept a tenant, you have legal obligations to check their right to rent in England and to carry out reasonable referencing. Getting this right protects you from the start.
Getting the Property Ready to Let
Before a tenant moves in, you must meet a series of legal safety requirements. These are not optional — failure to comply can invalidate your tenancy, expose you to fines, and in some cases constitute a criminal offence.
Setting Up the Tenancy
The paperwork stage is where most legal errors happen. The tenancy agreement, the documents you must serve, and the timing of when you serve them are all prescribed by law.
Tenancy Deposits
Deposit protection is one of the most heavily enforced areas of landlord law. The rules are strict, the deadlines are short, and the penalties for non-compliance are significant.
Inventory, Check-In & Moving Day
The inventory is your primary evidence in any deposit dispute. A thorough, signed inventory completed before move-in is worth more than any other single document in a tenancy.
Read in depth
Starting a Tenancy Handbook
A complete guide to starting every tenancy correctly — legally, practically and professionally.
Property Compliance Handbook
Gas safety, electrical safety, EPC, smoke alarms and all your compliance obligations in one place.
Rent and Deposits Handbook
Deposit protection, prescribed information, holding deposits and rent rules explained.
Latest guidance & updates
Understanding Assured Periodic Tenancies (APT): The New Standard
ASTs are abolished. Every new tenancy in England is now an Assured Periodic Tenancy — here is what that means for landlords.
Read article
Right to Rent Checks: Your Legal Obligation
How to conduct right to rent checks correctly before any tenancy starts — documents, timing and record-keeping.
Read article
Deposit Protection: The 30-Day Rule
Why protecting deposits within 30 days is crucial — and what happens if you miss the deadline.
Read articleDocuments, checklists & tools
Assured Periodic Tenancy Agreement 2026
Tenancy agreement template — RRA compliant
Start of Tenancy Compliance Checklist
Every document and safety check required before move-in
Right to Rent Checklist
Step-by-step check with acceptable document list
Inventory Template
Room-by-room inventory with condition record
Move-In Checklist
Moving day record — keys, meters, signatures
New Tenancy Timeline
Every document, who it goes to, and when
Property Ready Checklist
Pre-let safety and compliance checklist
Tenant Welcome Pack
Practical information for the tenant on move-in
Guarantor Application Form
Structured guarantor application and agreement
Landlord Document Checklist
Every document you should hold for each tenancy
Complete process guides
Starting a Tenancy Journey
13 steps, every legal requirement, in the right order. The most complete guide to starting a tenancy correctly.
13 steps · 3–4 hours
New Tenancy Problem Solver
A 10-step action plan with every document, checklist and guide for starting a tenancy — in the right order.
10-step action plan
Not sure where to start? Ask Landlord AI — get an instant answer to any new tenancy question.