Moving into the property

Everything you need to know before and on the day you move into your new home, from signing your agreement to collecting your keys.

Updated for the Renters' Rights Act 2025 — This guide reflects the new tenancy rules effective from 1 May 2026. Learn more at gov.uk.

Congratulations on your new home

This guide walks you through everything that needs to happen before and on the day you move in. It has been updated to reflect the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which introduces important changes to how tenancies work in England from 1 May 2026. Please read each section carefully and don't hesitate to get in touch if anything is unclear.

1. Your Tenancy Agreement

Before the tenancy begins, all tenants named on the tenancy will be required to sign a tenancy agreement. This is a legally binding contract between you and your landlord, setting out the rights and responsibilities of both parties.

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, all new private tenancies created on or after 1 May 2026 are assured periodic tenancies. This replaces the previous assured shorthold tenancy (AST) structure. Your tenancy will be a rolling periodic agreement with no fixed end date — it continues on a monthly basis until either you or your landlord gives notice in accordance with the law.

Your landlord is now required by law to provide you with certain mandatory written information about the tenancy before it begins. This will usually be included within the tenancy agreement itself and covers key details about your rights, obligations, and the new legal framework.

Read before you sign. Your tenancy agreement is the single most important document in your tenancy. Take time to read it in full, ask questions about anything you don't understand, and keep a copy for your records

Agreement Type: Assured Periodic Tenancy under the Housing Act 1988 (as amended by the Renters' Rights Act 2025)

Tenancy Structure: Rolling periodic, your tenancy continues month to month with no fixed end date

Written Statement: You must receive mandatory written information about the tenancy before it begins

Who Signs: All tenants named on the agreement, plus the landlord or their authorised agent

Your Copy: You will receive a signed copy, keep it safe for the duration of your tenancy

2. How Your Tenancy Works

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, fixed-term tenancies have been abolished for assured tenancies in the private rented sector. Your tenancy is now a periodic (rolling) agreement that continues on a monthly basis. There is no set end date.

This means you have genuine security of tenure. You can remain in the property for as long as you wish, provided you comply with the terms of your tenancy agreement. Your tenancy can only be ended in the following ways:

You give notice: You may end the tenancy at any time by giving at least two months' written notice to your landlord or their agent
Landlord gives notice: Your landlord can only end the tenancy if they have a valid legal reason (known as a "ground for possession") and serves the correct notice under Section 8 of the Housing Act 1988

No more "no-fault" evictions. Section 21 notices have been abolished. Your landlord cannot ask you to leave without a specific, legally valid reason. Examples of valid grounds include: the landlord intends to sell the property, the landlord or a close family member wishes to move in, or there has been a serious breach of the tenancy (such as significant rent arrears or antisocial behaviour).

12-month protection period: For the first 12 months of your tenancy, your landlord cannot use the grounds of selling the property or moving back in as a reason to seek possession. This gives you stability to settle into your new home

Agreement Type: Assured periodic (rolling monthly) — no fixed end date

Tenant's Notice: 2 months' written notice to end the tenancy at any time

Landlord's Notice: Must use Section 8 with a valid ground — minimum 4 months' notice for sale or moving in grounds

Protected Period: Landlord cannot use sale or moving-in grounds for the first 12 months

3. Security Deposit

At the start of your tenancy, you will be required to pay a security deposit. This deposit is held as protection against any damage to the property beyond fair wear and tear, unpaid rent, or other financial obligations at the end of the tenancy.

Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019 (which remains in force), security deposits are capped at five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000, or six weeks' rent where the annual rent is £50,000 or above.

Your deposit will be registered with a government-authorised tenancy deposit protection scheme within 30 days of receipt. You will receive prescribed information confirming which scheme holds your deposit, how to apply for its return, and the dispute resolution process available to you

Your deposit is protected by law. Your landlord must protect your deposit in one of three government-approved schemes — the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), MyDeposits, or the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). You will receive written confirmation of this.

Looking ahead — transferable deposits: The Renters' Rights Act 2025 includes provisions for a future transferable deposit scheme, which would allow tenants to transfer their deposit directly from one tenancy to the next. The government will set out the operational details in due course

Maximum Amount: 5 weeks' rent (annual rent under £50,000) or 6 weeks' rent (annual rent £50,000+)

Protection: Registered with a government-approved deposit scheme within 30 days

Prescribed Info: You will receive details of the scheme, your rights, and the dispute process

Return: Returned at the end of the tenancy, less any agreed or adjudicated deductions

4. First Payments

Before you move in, you will need to pay the following in cleared funds:

Your first month's rent
Your security deposit in full

All payments must be received and cleared before keys are released. We accept payment by bank transfer, details will be provided on your move-in statement. Please ensure the payment reference matches the one we supply so funds can be allocated promptly.

Maximum one month's rent in advance. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, landlords and agents are not permitted to request more than one month's rent in advance. Any request for a larger upfront rent payment is not lawful.

No cash payments. For the protection of both parties, we do not accept cash. All payments must be made by bank transfer or another traceable method agreed in writing.

Standing order: We will ask you to set up a standing order for your ongoing monthly rent payments. Please ensure this is arranged before your move-in date so that subsequent payments are made automatically and on time.

5. Rent & Rent Increases

Your rent is stated in your tenancy agreement and must be paid in full and on time each month. Under the Renters' Rights Act 2025, there are now clear rules governing how and when your rent can be increased:

Rent can only be increased once every 12 months
Your landlord must use the formal Section 13 notice process (contractual rent review clauses are no longer valid)
You must receive at least two months' written notice of any proposed increase
The increase must reflect market rent levels for comparable properties in the area
You have the right to challenge an increase you believe is above market rate by applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)

Initial rent protection: You have up to 6 months from the start of your tenancy to challenge your initial rent at tribunal if you believe it does not reflect the market rate for the area.

No rental bidding. Under the new law, landlords and agents must advertise a specific asking rent and are prohibited from encouraging or accepting offers above this advertised price.

6. Inventory & Check-In

At the start of your tenancy, a detailed inventory and schedule of condition will be prepared. This document records the condition of the property, its fixtures, fittings, and furnishings at the point you move in.

The inventory is one of the most important documents in your tenancy, it forms the basis of any deposit assessment at the end. You will be given a copy and asked to review it carefully.

Check every room against the inventory and note any discrepancies
Take your own dated photographs as a personal record
Return any comments or amendments to us within 7 days of your check-in date
If no amendments are returned within this period, the inventory will be deemed accepted

Don't skip this step. Failing to review and flag discrepancies in your inventory can make it much harder to dispute deductions at the end of the tenancy. Take the time to check it thoroughly.

7. Keys & Access

On the day of your move-in, once all payments have cleared and the tenancy agreement has been signed, you will receive one set of keys for each person named on the tenancy agreement.

We will also retain one set of master keys for management, emergencies, or gaining access to the property with your permission or notification — normally with a minimum of 24 hours' notice, as required by law.

Lost keys, fobs & lock changes:

• We do not offer an out-of-hours key service. If you lock yourself out, you will need to arrange a locksmith at your own expense.

• If you lose or damage any keys or fobs, you are responsible for the cost of replacement.

• You are not permitted to change the locks at the property without our prior written permission. Unauthorised lock changes may be treated as a breach of your tenancy agreement.

Tip: Consider giving a spare key to a trusted friend or family member in case of emergency. This can save you the cost and inconvenience of calling a locksmith.

8. Pets

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 gives tenants a statutory right to request permission to keep a pet. Blanket "no pets" clauses can no longer be used to prevent you from making a formal request during your tenancy.

If you would like to keep a pet, you must submit your request in writing, including a description of the animal. We are required to respond in writing within 28 days. Each request is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Permission can be refused where there is a reasonable and justifiable ground — for example, if the property is unsuitable for the type or size of animal, there are restrictions within a superior lease, or there are legitimate concerns about the welfare of the pet or impact on neighbours.

How the process works:

• Submit a written pet request with a description of the pet

• We may request additional information (e.g. breed, size) within the 28-day window

• You will receive a written response, either consent (with or without conditions) or a refusal with reasons

• If no response is received within 28 days, you may apply to the court

Important: Landlords cannot charge a separate pet deposit or additional pet-related fees. However, any damage caused by a pet beyond fair wear and tear can be recovered from your standard tenancy deposit. You remain responsible for keeping the property clean and free from pet-related damage.

Assistance animals: Assistance animals are protected under the Equality Act 2010 and are not classified as pets. Landlords must permit them as a reasonable adjustment for a disabled tenant. No additional fees or deposit increases can be applied.

9. Utilities & Council Tax

Unless your tenancy agreement states otherwise, you are responsible for setting up and paying for all utilities and services at the property from the start date of your tenancy. This includes gas, electricity, water, broadband, and a TV licence (if applicable)

Gas & electricity: take meter readings on your move-in day and contact a supplier of your choice to register the account in your name
Water: contact the local water company to register as the bill payer
Council tax: register with the local council from your tenancy start date; you may be eligible for a discount or exemption (e.g. single occupancy, full-time student)
Broadband & TV licence: — arrange at your own discretion; a TV licence is legally required if you watch live broadcasts or use BBC iPlayer
Contents insurance: we strongly recommend taking out a contents insurance policy to protect your personal belongings; the landlord's insurance does not cover your possession

Meter readings: Taking meter readings on your first day is essential. Without them, you may be charged for energy used before your tenancy started. Photograph the meters with a timestamp for your records.

10. Move-In Day Checklist

To help your move go as smoothly as possible, here's a step-by-step checklist for the day and the first week:

Collect Your Keys

Attend the key collection at the arranged time. All payments must have cleared and the agreement must be signed before keys are released.

Read All Meters

Record gas, electricity, and water meter readings. Take timestamped photographs.

Check the Inventory

Walk through the property with the inventory report. Note and photograph any discrepancies. You have 7 days to return comments

Test Everything

Check all appliances, taps, heating, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors are working.

Locate Safety Points

Find the fuse box, water stopcock, and gas shut-off valve. Know where they are in an emergency.

Set Up Utilities

Contact gas, electric, water, and council tax providers to register from your start date.

Set Up Your Standing Order

Arrange a standing order for your monthly rent to ensure it is paid on time every month

Update Your Address

Notify your bank, employer, GP, DVLA, and Royal Mail of your new address.

Questions Before You Move In?

If there's anything you're unsure about, whether it's your agreement, your payments, your rights under the new legislation, or what to expect on the day, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to make your move as straightforward as possible.

This Hub is general guidance and does not replace your tenancy agreement or statutory rights.