If your tenancy is to work out well from day one, there are a few key guidelines you should follow:

· Position yourself as a strong contender by having good references from previous landlords prepared in advance.

· Make sure you agree with the inventory and condition report, then sign and date it to avoid any misunderstandings down the line.

· Always ask for a written receipt for your deposit and details of where it has been lodged.

· Ensure you have emergency procedures in place and that your landlord or agent provides a telephone number to call if anything goes wrong. Know where the water, gas and electricity cut-off switches are in case of an emergency.

· Also, if you are going away for more than a week or so, it is a common courtesy, and a practical one, to let your landlord know that you are going to be away – again in case of any emergency.

· Don’t be afraid to report any problems, such as a leaking roof, to the landlord or their agent, who will usually appreciate the opportunity to remedy the issue before it gets worse. And if you are genuinely competent at fixing something then by all means ask your landlord if he/she would object to you doing it. But don’t attempt anything other than a very minor repair without your landlord’s consent.

Above all, pay your rent on time. A happy landlord will usually be more than willing to make your tenancy as comfortable as possible in the knowledge that he/she has a responsible and reliable tenant, and they will be less inclined to increase the rent on renewal!

© Copyright 2020 Richard Rawlings except as excluded under licence.