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- Understand your responsibilities as a tenant
When you live in a private rented property as a tenant you have specific responsibilities.
You must:
- pay the agreed rent
- pay other charges and bills, for example, council tax and utility bills
- give your landlord access to the property to make repairs or inspections
- repair or pay for any damage you cause
- be considerate to your neighbours
- regularly test your smoke alarms
Check your rights and responsibilities (GOV.UK).
Read your tenancy agreement carefully to make sure you understand:
- how much the rent is and how and when you must pay it
- if any bills are included in the rent or not
- how long the tenancy is for
- how much the deposit is and how and when you must pay it
- what's included in the inventory
Make sure your landlord gives you:
- a copy of 'How to rent: the checklist for renting in England'
- deposit protection paperwork
- the energy performance certificate for the property
- a gas safety certificate before you move in
- an electrical safety report
- evidence that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working
When you move in, make a note of the:
- meter readings so you do not pay for the previous tenant's bills
- landlord or letting agent's contact details
Agree an inventory with the landlord and keep a copy.