Landlord Pre-Tenancy Checklist — 30 Things to Check Before Tenants Move In

Pre-Tenancy Landlord Checklist: Legal Requirements First

Mandatory Certificates and Documents

• ☐ Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) — must be issued within 12 months and provided to tenants before they move in. No exceptions.
• ☐ EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) — must be issued within 5 years and provided to tenants before move-in. For HMOs, required at every change of tenancy.
• ☐ EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) — minimum rating E required (C under proposed new rules). Must be provided to tenants before they move in. Valid 10 years.
• ☐ How to Rent guide — the current version must be provided to every AST tenant at move-in. Download from GOV.UK — the version is updated periodically and the current version must always be given.
• ☐ Deposit protection — deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (DPS, TDS, mydeposits) within 30 days of receipt. Prescribed information must be provided to the tenant.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• ☐ Smoke alarm on every floor tested and working
• ☐ Carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a combustion appliance (gas boiler, gas fire, solid fuel appliance)
• ☐ Alarm expiry dates checked — CO alarms expire after 5-7 years
• ☐ Test both alarms in the presence of or before the tenant (document testing date)

Pre-Tenancy Checks: Boiler and Heating

• ☐ Boiler service completed within the last 12 months (retain the service record)
• ☐ Boiler pressure at 1-1.5 bar — top up if lower
• ☐ All radiators tested on full heat — bleed any that have cold spots at the top
• ☐ TRV pins on all radiators checked — not seized from summer inactivity
• ☐ Programmer or thermostat set to a neutral state (not the previous tenant's schedule)
• ☐ Condensate pipe insulated if running through an unheated external area
• ☐ Magnetic system filter cleaned (if fitted)

Pre-Tenancy Checks: Plumbing and Water

• ☐ All taps run hot and cold with adequate pressure
• ☐ All waste pipes drain freely — run taps for 60 seconds and confirm no slow draining
• ☐ Toilet flushes and cistern refills correctly
• ☐ No drips under sink or wash basin
• ☐ Stopcock located and turns freely — show tenant at check-in
• ☐ No damp or water staining under sinks or around the bath/shower

Pre-Tenancy Checks: Electrics and Appliances

• ☐ Consumer unit accessible and RCD protection tested (test button on RCD)
• ☐ All sockets, switches, and light fittings work
• ☐ Landlord-supplied appliances PAT tested (required for HMOs; best practice for all lets)
• ☐ Fridge temperature 3-5°C, freezer below -18°C
• ☐ Oven/hob tested — all rings/elements working
• ☐ Washing machine runs through a cycle without leaking

Pre-Tenancy Checks: Structure and Fabric

• ☐ All windows open and close correctly; sash cords intact; trickle vents not blocked
• ☐ No evidence of active damp (rising damp, penetrating damp, mould on walls)
• ☐ Extractor fans in kitchen and bathroom working
• ☐ Guttering clear — inspect from windows if single-storey areas visible
• ☐ Keys cut — two sets per bedroom in HMOs, one set per household for single lets