Contract Checking Tool

Want to know what should be in your contract? Use our contract checking tool to find out the strength of your contract.

Read through your contract carefully and make sure the items below you are included. 

• The name and address of your landlord - even if you are renting the property through an agent, you are entitled to have the name and address of your landlord
• The name of the tenant/s - if more than one person is named as tenant, the contract will probably be a join tenancy. Join tenants can be held responsible for each other's rent as well as each other's damage and cleanliness. It's essential you are completely happy with your choice of flatmates before you sign a contract. 
• The address of the property - it can be useful to have the postcode of the property so yo can input this onto Google maps and work out the walking distance to your department/college
• The length of the contract (term) - nearly all housing contracts are fixed term for 12 months. With this type of contract there is usually no get out for the tenant, so if you sign up then change your mind, the landlord will expect you to find a replacement tenant before you can be released
• Rent - your contract should state how much the rent is, when and how this should be paid, as well as the date the first payment is due, usually before the contract starts. If you are a joint tenant then the rent stated may be the whole rent of the property, not just your share.
• Upfront fees - since the introduction of the Tenant Fees Act 2019, your landlords/agent can no longer charge you any up-front-fees, aside from a list of permitted payments summarised here. 
• Your deposit - most landlords/agents ask you to pay a security deposit which may be used to pay for damages, cleaning and unpaid rent sduring your tenancy. If you are an Assured Short-hold Tenant, your landlord/agent must protect your deposit by law in one of the government schemes within 30 days of paying it and you must be sent further prescribed information about the scheme
• Bills - your contract should state if your bills are included in your rent or not. Bills include heating/hot water, water rates and internet charges. If you are paying for your gas/electricity you are entitled to change spplier, but you do need to get the permission of the landlord/agent
• Council tax - most contracts say you are liable for council tax. However, full time students are not liable for council tax if they live with other full time students. You will need to have a council tax exemption certificate which you can complete via Banner Self Service
• Repairs/Looking are the house - most contracts mention Section 11 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985. This makes landlords responsible for repairs to the structure and exterior, as well as things like plumbing and electrics. Landlords/agents cannot transfer responsibility for these major repairs to tenants. As a tenant you have certain responsibilities such as changing light bulbs/batteries in smoke alarms and taking general care of the property
• Eviction - your contract may say you can be evicted if you are in rent arrears or breach of contract. However, as an assures short-hold  tenant you can only be evicted if your landlord/agent obtains a court holder and follows certain procedures. Make are you are clear on eviction procedure and that this is mentioned in your tenancy agreement
• Charges - if your contract includes any charges for items such a replacement keys or late rent payment these charges should be transparent and reasonable. The landlord/agent should be able to provide you with a full breakdown as to how the amount charged was reached
• Letting the landlord/agent in - your contract may include a clause which allows the landlord/agent o show prospective tenants around for viewings or to carry out repairs. Your landlord/agent needs to provide you with at least 24 hours' notice in writing if they intend to visit the property for any purpose apart from in an emergency 
• Visitors - most contracts will not allow you to let anyone else live in the house without the landlord's permission (usually called subletting). Having friends to visit is fine however, but you will be responsible for any damage they cause
• Insurance - most contracts say you must not do anything which invalidates the landlord's building insurance or make it more expensive. Ask your landlord.agent to explain how this might happen. Some contracts also state that the landlord/agent cannot be held responsible for damage to your personal possessions and you will need to take out contents insurances. This cannot be a requirement but it is advisable. If your possessions get damaged through the landlord's negligence then they can be held responsible, so seek further advice
• Guarantor - if you are required to provide a guarantor make sure they take advice about any contract they are asked to sign