The ultimate move-in day checklist for UK landlords
Have new tenants moving in soon? While every landlord manages properties differently, it’s essential that you have everything sorted out in advance to make move-in day as seamless as possible.
Forgetting vital things, like making sure you have cleaned the property beforehand or obtaining the correct property certificates can seriously derail your day as you try to fix the issue and leave a bad taste in your tenants’ mouths.
So, to make sure you’re all prepped, set, and ready to go for moving tenants into your property, we’ve created the ultimate move-in checklist for you to tick off.
On this list, you’ll find everything from legal requirements you need to follow as a UK landlord to the practical matters you need to take care of for a move-in day that goes off without a hitch!
YOUR TENANT MOVE-IN DAY CHECKLIST
| Right to rent | Check that each of your tenants has the legal “right to rent” in the UK by checking their passport and other travel documentation |
| Reference check | Verify your tenant’s landlord/employer references to ensure they are who they say they are and have a good previous record |
| Guarantor check | If you need confirmation your tenant can afford rent (like with students) check their guarantor reference to protect yourself |
| Tenancy agreement | Make sure you and your tenants have signed a tenancy agreement and give your tenants your contact information |
| Rental lease | Create a detailed rental lease and have your tenants sign the lease. Then make sure you give them a copy within a month |
| Security deposit | Get your tenant to send a month’s worth of rent in advance and a pre-agreed security deposit to your bank account |
| Deposit protection | Ensure you protect your tenant’s deposit within a month of receiving it or you will be liable for landlord fines |
| Facilities check | Make sure all electrical, heating, and plumbing infrastructure is working well. Take note of any issues and get them fixed |
| Inventory list | Create a list of all inventory in the property and the condition of every product, piece of furniture, appliance, etc. Then get the list signed by all parties |
| Energy Performance Certificate | Ensure your Energy Performance Certificate is in date and above E, and give your tenants a copy |
| Gas Safety Certificate | Make sure your gas safety certificate is in date and give your tenants a copy of it |
| Electrical Installation Condition Report | Ensure your Electrical Installation Condition report is in date and give your tenants a copy of it |
| Fire safety check | Check that the property meets the UK government’s fire safety regulations or you will be liable for expensive fines |
| Test alarms | Make sure your property’s smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarms are in working order by testing them |
| Book property certificates | Order property certificates that need to be renewed online and have them completed before move-in day |
| Lock change | Protect your tenants and their belongings by changing the locks before they move-in |
| Clutter clearing | Clear out anything left behind from previous tenants |
| Deep cleaning | Ensure you or a cleaning company deep cleans the property from top to bottom |
| How to Rent Guide | Give your tenants a copy of the UK government’s How to Rent Guide |
| Property walkthrough | Show your tenant how to turn off mains and how key appliances work, and tell them anything else they need to know |
| Meter reading | Take photographs of the electricity meter reading with your tenants so you both know their starting point for electricity bills |
| Give keys | Don’t forget to hand over a copy of the keys to your tenants! It happens more often than you’d think! |
| Notify suppliers | Tell your insurance, bin, electricity providers for the property that there are new tenants moving in – they’ll often send a welcome pack to them! |
Looking for more landlord advice? Read our guide to automating your landlord duties.
Too much to think about? Make things Symple!
With this tenant move-in day checklist, we know your tenant’s transition to their new home will be an easier experience for all involved. Why not remove even more move-in day stress with Symple?
Symple makes it as simple as clicking a button to get your property certificates sorted from one place.
From managing tenant communications and keeping a digital record of all certificates to sending renewal notices and inspection reminders, Symple is your all-in-one solution to property certificate management.
Visit Symple to see how it works, and order your certificates online today.
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