Finding a tenant, tenancy agreements and deposits
Our accommodation finding team (AFT) can help you find a tenant.
We are particularly interested in working with landlords to provide accommodation for people in need.
We have incentives for landlords to work with us
Tenancy agreements
You should always have a tenancy agreement. It sets out you and your tenants' rights and responsibilities. The agreement should include information about:
- the type of tenancy
- the length of the tenancy
- how much rent the tenant should pay and how often
- who is responsible for repairs
- ending the tenancy and the procedure for leaving the property
The tenancy agreement should include the landlord's (or agent's) name and address and a contact telephone number.
A tenant cannot claim benefits without showing a tenancy agreement.
Deposits
When you take a deposit from your tenant you should always give them:
- a receipt for the deposit
- an inventory of the property
The inventory should:
- describe the state of the property
- list what is in the property
It is also useful to take photographs.
Tenancy deposit scheme
If you let your property on an assured short-hold tenancy (AST) the law says you must register any deposit with one of the three government approved tenancy deposit schemes.
Your tenants may be able to take you to court if you don't register their deposit correctly. The court could fine you up to three times the value of the deposit.
Read about the government's tenancy deposit schemes.
Page last updated: 23 January 2023
