Information for Tenants

A plain-English guide to every stage - from application to check-out

Renters' Rights Act 2026

From 1 May 2026, major changes to rental law came into force. All tenancies are now periodic (rolling month to month). Fixed-term contracts no longer exist for new tenancies. Section 21 no-fault evictions are abolished. This guide reflects the current rules.

Stage 1 - Referencing and Application

Before a tenancy starts, we carry out referencing on behalf of your landlord through an independent Credit Referencing Agency.

What we need from you:

• Photo ID - current passport or driving licence

• Proof of your current address dated within the last three months (bank statement or utility bill)

• Right to rent documentation

What the referencing process checks:

• Credit history

• Employer's reference confirming income

• Previous landlord reference (where applicable)

• Right to rent status

Income requirement

As a general guide, your gross annual salary should be at least 30 times the monthly rent. For example, a rent of £1,000 per month requires a minimum income of £30,000 per year.

If your income does not meet this threshold, a guarantor may be considered subject to the landlord's approval. A guarantor must be a UK homeowner and in full-time employment, and must meet the referencing criteria in their own right.

Joint tenancies

Where there are two or more tenants, one person must be nominated as the lead tenant. The lead tenant provides a forwarding address (a family member's address is fine) for deposit correspondence at the end of the tenancy. This is a requirement of your deposit protection scheme.

Please make sure all employers, previous landlords, and other referees know to expect contact from the referencing agency. Delays in referencing mean delays to your move-in date.

Holding deposit

To reserve a property while referencing is completed, a holding deposit of no more than one week's rent is required. This is put towards your first month's rent on move-in.

The holding deposit is non-refundable if you fail referencing based on information you provided, or if you withdraw your application.

Stage 2 - Before You Move In

Your tenancy agreement

All new tenancies with Inspire are periodic assured tenancies. This means there is no fixed end date - your tenancy runs on a rolling monthly basis from day one. You are not committed to a set term and you are free to give notice at any point.

All tenants named on the agreement must sign it before move-in. If a guarantor is required, they must also sign prior to move-in.

We are required to provide you with a written statement of your key tenancy terms before the tenancy starts. This includes your rent, notice periods, deposit details, and your rights and obligations under the Renters' Rights Act 2026.

Monies due before move-in

All funds must be paid by BACS transfer directly to Inspire Estates Ltd and received in cleared funds before check-in. No check-in will proceed until funds are confirmed.

Rent cannot be taken before the tenancy agreement is signed. You will not be asked to pay more than one month's

Security deposit

Your deposit is protected in a government-authorised scheme within 30 calendar days of receipt. We will provide you with the prescribed information confirming which scheme holds your deposit.

Your deposit is returned within 10 working days of vacating, less any agreed deductions. If there is a dispute, the scheme's free adjudication service is available to both parties.

Stage 3 - Check-In

Inventory and schedule of condition

An inventory and schedule of condition is prepared for every property. You sign this at check-in. It records the condition of the property and its contents and is used as the reference point at check-out. Read it carefully - if anything is wrong or missing, tell us straight away.

Utilities

We record gas, electricity, water, and council tax meter readings at check-in. Setting up your utilities promptly means you avoid being placed on high default tariffs.

Inspire works with Notify, who can set up your utilities with your permission and find competitive rates. Just let us know if you would like this service.

Telephone and TV licence

You are responsible for arranging any telephone or broadband connection and for paying for your TV licence. If a landline needs reconnecting, the cost falls to you, not the landlord.

Stage 4 - During Your Tenancy

Your responsibilities

Your tenancy agreement sets out your obligations. Key responsibilities include:

• Paying rent on time, on the due date, by direct debit

• Allowing access for safety inspections such as the annual gas safety check

• Keeping the property adequately heated in cold weather to prevent pipe damage

• Keeping drains clear and reporting problems promptly

• Dealing with pests that arise during the tenancy (except where the cause is a structural defect in the building, in which case the landlord may share responsibility)

Rent

Rent is due on the same date each month by direct debit. It is your responsibility to ensure this is set up correctly. We cannot initiate or amend your direct debit - only you can do that.

If rent is more than 14 days late, interest may be charged at 3% above the Bank of England base rate. Persistent late payment may result in your landlord applying to the court using a Section 8 notice.

Rent increases

From 1 May 2026, rent increases are only permitted once per year and must be issued via a formal Section 13 notice. You must receive at least two months' written notice of any increase. You have the right to challenge the proposed increase through the First-tier Tribunal if you believe it is above market rate.

Reporting maintenance

All maintenance requests must be submitted through Fix Flo, our online maintenance system. Do not instruct contractors yourself - if you do, you will be liable for the cost.

Where an appliance is covered by a service agreement (for example, British Gas), you should follow the process set out in that agreement. For all other repairs, Fix Flo is the correct route.

For fully managed properties, we will liaise with your landlord and instruct an approved contractor. We aim to respond to all maintenance reports within normal working hours. Emergency situations will be dealt with as a priority.

For tenant introduction and rent collection arrangements, you should contact the landlord directly, not Inspire.

Pets

From 1 May 2026, you have the right to request permission to keep a pet. The landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. Any refusal must be given in writing with the reason stated. If you believe a refusal is unreasonable, you have the right to challenge it.

Note that not all properties are suitable for pets and the landlord retains the right to refuse on reasonable grounds.

Property reviews

For fully managed properties, the first inspection takes place approximately six weeks after move-in. Thereafter, inspections are carried out quarterly. We give appropriate notice before attending. The purpose is to check the property is being well maintained - not to catch you out.

Stage 5 - Giving Notice and Leaving

How to end your tenancy

Under the Renters' Rights Act 2026, you can end your tenancy at any time by giving at least two months' written notice. There is no minimum period you must stay. Notice should be timed to end on the last day of a rental period.

If there are multiple tenants on the agreement, all tenants should sign the notice. Speak to us before serving notice if you are unsure.

If you want to leave early

Because all tenancies are now periodic, there is no fixed term to break. You simply give two months' written notice. Your liability for rent ends at the close of your notice period, provided the property is left in good order.

Stage 6 - Check-Out

Check-out takes place on the last day of your tenancy, by arrangement, between 10am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Before you hand over the keys:

• Remove all personal belongings

• Have the property professionally cleaned to the standard recorded in the inventory

• Return all keys, fobs, and access devices

• Cancel your direct debit only after your final rent payment clears

Your deposit is returned within 10 working days, less any agreed deductions. If there is a dispute about deductions, either party can refer the matter to the deposit scheme's independent adjudication service at no cost.

Tenant references

References are available on request at the end of a tenancy.

Tenant Insurance

Your tenancy agreement does not cover your personal possessions. If something unexpected happens - fire, flood, theft - you are responsible for your own belongings.

Specialist tenant insurance is available on request. Ask us for details.

Regulatory Information

Property Ombudsman: Inspire Estates Ltd is a member of The Property Ombudsman, company number 6944084.

Client Money Protection: SafeAgent scheme, reference A3990. Your deposit and any money held on your behalf is fully protected.

Deposit protection: Deposits are registered with a government-authorised scheme within 30 calendar days of receipt.

Money laundering: We are required by law to report knowledge or suspicion of money laundering to the National Crime Agency.

Renters' Rights Act: This document reflects the rules in force from 1 May 2026. If you have any questions about your rights, visit shelter.org.uk or gov.uk/private-renting.