A Guide For Tenants
Your Tenancy Journeyfrom accepted offer to front door key
Every step between your offer being accepted and getting your keys. Staying on top of each one keeps your move-in date on track.
Moving home should feel simple.
Most of the delays we see are caused by one step waiting on another. This guide shows you what is coming next, so nothing sits in your inbox unanswered on the week you are trying to move.
Steps One To Three
Securing The Property
- 01
Offer accepted
Once you have viewed a property and would like to apply, the next step is to make an offer. We will ask you to complete a short Offer Form so we can present your application clearly to the landlord.
Popular properties often receive several offers soon after viewings, so returning the form promptly helps avoid delays.
Offers Above The Advertised Rent Cannot Be AcceptedThis is a legal requirement under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, designed to protect tenants from bidding wars. It applies to us, and to the landlord.
- 02
Holding deposit
Once your offer is accepted we confirm it in writing and request a holding deposit equivalent to one week’s rent. This secures the property while referencing takes place, and is later credited towards your security deposit.
Payments are processed securely through PayProp, our tenancy payment platform, which gives you your own login and a clear record of every transaction.
Your deposit is legally protected. Your security deposit is registered with a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of your tenancy starting, and held safely until the end of your tenancy.
- 03
Terms of business
You will receive our Terms of Business electronically through Adobe Sign, which lets documents be reviewed and signed securely online. Completing this step promptly helps the tenancy progress without delay.
Steps Four And Five
The Checks
Two checks have to happen before any tenancy can begin. Both are quicker than people expect, provided the information comes back promptly.
- 04
Referencing
Referencing is completed through our independent partners, Canopy and Let Mojo. You will receive a secure link to begin your application, and we will ask for identification, employment details, proof of income, and references from previous landlords.
For a faster check you can verify your income via Open Banking — a secure, read-only link to your bank account. It is encrypted, FCA-regulated, and you stay in control.
- 05
Right to Rent
UK law requires all tenants to complete Right to Rent checks before the tenancy begins, confirming your legal eligibility to rent property in the UK.
- British and Irish passport holders can complete this online via TrustID — quick, secure and done from home.
- Non-UK nationals will need to visit our office in person before move-in, bringing a passport or BRP along with a Home Office share code.
Steps Six And Seven
Paperwork and money
06 — Reviewing the tenancy documents
To save time, we send your tenancy documents alongside your referencing, so you can review everything in parallel. Once your referencing is approved, we ask you to sign via Adobe Sign. Nothing left to chase at the last minute.
| Document | What it is |
|---|---|
| Tenancy Agreement | Your assured periodic tenancy contract |
| Gas Safety Certificate | Confirms the property’s gas appliances are safe |
| EICR | Electrical safety certificate |
| EPC | Energy performance certificate |
07 — Final balance
Once your tenancy agreement has been signed and executed, we collect the remaining balance of your security deposit and your first month’s rent.
| Payment | Amount | When due |
|---|---|---|
| Holding deposit | 1 week’s rent | When your offer is accepted |
| Security deposit balance | 4 weeks’ rent | On signing your tenancy agreement |
| First month’s rent | 1 month’s rent | On signing your tenancy agreement |
| Total security deposit held | 5 weeks’ rent | Registered within 30 days of tenancy start |
By law, no rent or deposit balance can be collected before signing. It is agency practice for funds to clear in our account at least 15 days before your move-in date to secure your keys.
Where the annual rent is £50,000 or more, the security deposit is six weeks’ rent rather than five, under the Tenant Fees Act 2019.
Step Eight
Inventory Check-In
Not every landlord commissions a professional inventory — but where they do, an independent inventory clerk prepares a detailed report before you move in, and you will have the opportunity to review it.
Fixtures and fittings
General condition
Meter readings
Photographic records
Keys and security items
Smoke, heat and CO alarms
This records the condition of the property at the start of your tenancy — which is what protects you at the end of it.
Step Nine
Setting Up Utilities
To make moving day simpler we partner with Help The Move, who can set up your household utilities so everything is ready when you collect your keys.
Gas and electricity
Water
Council tax
Broadband and TV
This service is free and optional — you are welcome to use your own suppliers if you would prefer.
Step Ten
Maintenance Support
If we manage your property, reporting maintenance is simple — and you receive updates at each stage, so you always know where your request stands.
- 01
Log it on Fixflo
Our online maintenance platform. Report the issue whenever it suits you.
- 02
Aidenn takes a first look
Our AI assistant, via Help Me Fix, can help diagnose common issues instantly.
- 03
A video engineer assesses it
If the issue needs hands-on attention, an engineer looks at it over video next.
- 04
A contractor attends
Where a physical repair is required, we arrange for someone to come out.
Step Eleven
Move-In Daywelcome home
Just before your tenancy begins you will receive a Welcome Email with everything you need to start settling in.
Your PayProp tenant portal
Your own login, with every transaction visible.
Rent payment instructions
What to pay, when, and how.
Important contact details
Who to call, and when.
Maintenance reporting
How to log an issue from day one.
This guide is for information and does not form part of any contract. The terms of your tenancy are set out in your Tenant Terms of Business and your tenancy agreement.
Element Properties Alexandra Park Ltd, trading as Element Properties & Co. Registered in England and Wales, company number 10351289. Registered office: 26 Palace Gates Road, London, N22 7BN. Members of the Property Redress Scheme and Client Money Protect.