My Proper HomeTenancy types
Most private rentals in England + Wales are Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) — typically a 6 or 12 month fixed term, then continuing month-to-month afterwards (a "periodic tenancy"). Scotland uses a Private Residential Tenancy (PRT) with no fixed end date.
Deposit protection
Within 30 days of paying a deposit, your landlord must protect it in one of three government-approved schemes: DPS, TDS, MyDeposits. They must also give you prescribed information — scheme name, dispute procedure, address of the property. If they don't, you can claim up to 3× the deposit back through the small-claims court.
What landlords can and can't charge
Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords/agents in England can only charge: rent, a deposit (capped at 5 weeks' rent if annual rent under £50k), a holding deposit (capped at 1 week's rent), and utilities/council tax if specified. Charging for referencing, inventory checks or admin is illegal.
Referencing
Most agents run a credit check + employer reference + previous- landlord reference. They'll also run a Right-to-Rent check (a copy of your passport / visa, in person) as required by the Immigration Act 2014. Failing referencing usually means guarantor required, not no.
During the tenancy
Your landlord must give you Gas Safety (CP12) annually, an EICR (electrical) every 5 years, and a working smoke alarm on every habitable floor. They have to give 24 hours' notice for inspections / repairs.
Leaving
During the fixed term, you can leave only by surrender (your landlord agrees) or via a break clause. In the periodic afterwards, one month's notice in writing is enough. Inventory at move-in should match move-out — take photos on day one and keep them.
If something goes wrong
Repair-not-done escalation: written request → 14 days → environmental health at the council → repairing-obligation court order. For deposit disputes, the protection scheme arbitrates for free.