The Contract

It should be crucially important that you use a formal Assured Short-hold Tenancy agreement (AST). This is the foundation of any agreement between both parties and should be for 6 month or 12 months with a notice requiring possession at the end of the tenancy, normally issued at the beginning of the tenancy (but dated one day after the AST).

*In the contract of tenancy the landlord/managing agent should add a statement which makes it clear that the tenant accepts the fact that his/her details may be added to the tenancy database at the end of the tenancy. In all circumstances this statement must form part of any Tenancy agreement between Landlord/Management Agent and Tenant (example available at the resource centre).

An inventory is vital and should cover everything. Most letting agencies will organise these documents on behalf of the landlord, and where management of the property is involved they will make regular visits to the property to ensure everything is fine for tenant and the landlord.

* Essential statement

The Tenancy

The property offered must be clean and structurally sound and we suggest you take photographs at the beginning of the tenancy. All furniture must be up to acceptable standard. Electric wiring and appliances must be safe and all gas appliances must be in good working order and serviced regularly. An annual gas certificate provided by a qualified gas service engineer should be current. Smoke alarms must be fitted throughout the accommodation and should not be removed at any time during the tenancy. Apart from being a legal requirement these fitting these safety equipments also show that the landlord cares about the well being of his/her tenants.

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