Tenant Move-In Checklist

Almost every deposit dispute at the end of a tenancy turns on what the property looked like at the start — and by then it is far too late to prove anything. The first day in a new rental is the one chance you get to record the condition, take meter readings and check that your landlord has done what the law requires. It takes an hour and can save you hundreds of pounds and a great deal of argument. Use this checklist before, during and after move-in day.

Why the first day matters so much

Two things happen at move-in that you cannot recreate later. The first is the record of condition: photographs and video with a visible date, taken before you unpack, are the evidence that decides a deposit dispute months or years later. The second is the set of legal documents your landlord must provide — deposit protection details, the How to Rent guide, a current gas safety certificate and an energy performance certificate. Ask for anything missing in writing on day one, while the relationship is still cordial.

  • Before signing: read the agreement properly, including clauses about repairs, decoration and ending the tenancy. Ask about anything you do not understand before you sign, not after.
  • On the day: complete the inventory, take your own photographs regardless of who prepared it, and read every meter.
  • First week: put the utilities and council tax in your name and report any defect you found, in writing, so it is on record from the start.

Missing items have real consequences. Without your own dated photographs you are arguing against the landlord's inventory. Without meter readings you may be billed for the previous tenant's usage. Without deposit protection details you cannot check the money is safe — and unprotected deposits give you a claim in the county court.

Set up one folder, physical or digital, and put everything in it from day one: agreement, certificates, inventory, photographs, meter readings and every message with the landlord.

Before you move in

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On move-in day

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First week

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Helpful organisations

Shelter

Charity

A housing charity providing advice and support for people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.

Visit website0808 800 4444

Citizens Advice

Charity

Provides free, confidential, and independent advice on a wide range of issues including benefits, housing, debt, and employment.

Visit website0800 144 8848

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Government

Government-approved tenancy deposit protection scheme that safeguards deposits and resolves disputes.

Visit website

Frequently asked questions

What if my landlord never protected my deposit?
Deposits for tenancies must be placed in a government-approved scheme and you must be given the prescribed information about it within the statutory period. If that did not happen, you can apply to the county court, which can order the deposit returned and a penalty of between one and three times its value. The obligation does not lapse when you move out. Check the schemes' online registers yourself rather than relying on being told it is protected.
The inventory does not match what I found. What should I do?
Do not sign it as accurate. Annotate it with every discrepancy, photograph each one, and return it within the period stated with a covering email listing the additions. If you have already signed, send a follow-up straight away setting out what was missed, with dated photographs attached — a contemporaneous correction carries real weight. Keep the email in your tenancy folder, because this is exactly the document a deposit adjudicator will want to see at the end.
Who is responsible for repairs I find after moving in?
Landlords are responsible for the structure and exterior, and for installations supplying water, gas, electricity, sanitation and heating, whatever the agreement says. Report problems in writing with photographs and keep the record, because a written trail is what proves the landlord knew. If repairs are not carried out in a reasonable time, contact your council's environmental health team, who can inspect and require action. Never withhold rent as leverage without getting advice first — it puts your tenancy at risk.
Do I have to let the landlord in whenever they want?
No. You have the right to quiet enjoyment of the property, and a landlord must generally give at least 24 hours' written notice and visit at a reasonable time, except in a genuine emergency such as a serious leak or a gas escape. A clause saying otherwise does not override that right. Repeated unannounced visits can amount to harassment. If it becomes a pattern, put your objection in writing and contact your council's tenancy relations team.

Related guides

Tenancy Agreement Basics

A tenancy agreement is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord. It sets out the rights and responsibilities of both parties during the tenancy. Whether it is written or verbal, a tenancy agreement creates enforceable legal obligations — but certain rights and responsibilities apply regardless of what the agreement says.

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Rental Deposit Rules

Your landlord is legally required to protect your tenancy deposit in a government-approved scheme within 30 days of receiving it. Failure to do so gives you the right to claim up to three times the deposit amount in compensation. Understanding your deposit rights can save you significant money.

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Getting Your Deposit Back

At the end of your tenancy, you are entitled to the return of your deposit within a reasonable time — typically 10 days — minus any agreed deductions. If your landlord makes unreasonable deductions or refuses to return the deposit, the deposit protection scheme's free dispute resolution service can help.

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Landlord Repair Responsibilities

Private landlords in England have significant legal obligations to maintain and repair their properties. These duties arise from the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018, and other legislation. Understanding what your landlord must fix — and how to enforce this — is essential for every renter.

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Disclaimer

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always check official sources and seek qualified help where needed.