UK Landlord Forum / Life

It has been a while since I last rented, so would like to check that I understand what I need to serve to the tenant and when in terms of deposit documentation for an AST with a 6 month fixed term.  I will be using the DPS scheme for the deposit.

I am aware that the Prescribed Information (PI) needs to be served within 30 days of the start of tenancy. 

1. The last time I did this the PI needed to be re-served when the SPT started.  Is this still the case, if not when was this changed.

2. At the time of signing the contract what specific information should I give the tenant about the deposit scheme?
   Do I hand over the Terms and Conditions at this point, or do I hand those over with the PI (or both)
   Do I need to give them any other information about the deposit at this point, like a print out of another DPS document or something.

Many thanks

1. No. 2015.
2.You don't need to hand over anything relating to the deposit at that point.

many thanks.

My advice is that do take on the Tenant in stages

1. First contact
2. Shortlist
3. Viewing
4. Tenant Referencing
5. Make sure that your Tenancy is up to date (service addresses, right Dep scheme mentioned)
6. Send copy of the Tenancy Agreement for their perusal of terms
7. Arrange for a second viewing where they pay the initial rent and the deposit
8.Sign two copies of the Prescribed Information (Use DPS Template) and have Tenant sign both too, leave one with them.
9. Provide the keys to the property
Do the same thing with two copies of

10. Current Terms and Conditions of the DPS Scheme (Custodial or Insurance

11. Current Gas Safety Certificate
12. Gov How to Rent Document
13. Current Energy Performance Certificate
14. EIRC to show you are a great Landlord

15. Make sure you comply with the Tenant Fees Act (2019) i.e.
deposit no more than 5 weeks
No prohibited fees as defined in TFA

16. Also, if your property is an HMO or in a Selective Licensing area then check whether your licence is up to date.

These suggestions or precautions are to protect you so that if you find yourself with a Tenant who becomes a problem then you have the means to evict them.  You might already do some of all of these things but you need to have evidence evidence and evidence, nothing is stronger to confront a denial by the Tenant than the signature of the Tenant at the onset of the Tenancy.

This is not an exhaustive list, many things would need to be done before you even look for a Tenant, there is a lot more to be aware of that is on the main site at

https://www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/

Quote from: marthr on March 16, 2025, 01:28:27 PMIt has been a while since I last rented, so would like to check that I understand what I need to serve to the tenant and when in terms of deposit documentation for an AST with a 6 month fixed term.  I will be using the DPS scheme for the deposit.

I am aware that the Prescribed Information (PI) needs to be served within 30 days of the start of tenancy. 

1. The last time I did this the PI needed to be re-served when the SPT started.  Is this still the case, if not when was this changed.

2. At the time of signing the contract what specific information should I give the tenant about the deposit scheme?
  Do I hand over the Terms and Conditions at this point, or do I hand those over with the PI (or both)
  Do I need to give them any other information about the deposit at this point, like a print out of another DPS document or something.

Many thanks