Guides for landlords and tenants

Plain, sourced guides to the paperwork at the start and end of a tenancy. They are general information, not legal advice.

• How to do an inventory for a rental propertyDo your own check-in inventory step by step, with what deposit scheme adjudicators look for and how the rules differ in England, Scotland and Wales.
• End of tenancy inspection checklist and check-out reportA check-out checklist for tenants and landlords, how to compare the property against the check-in inventory, and what deposit schemes expect.
• What is fair wear and tear in a rental property UKWhat fair wear and tear means in UK renting, the factors deposit adjudicators weigh, and real scheme cases on carpets, walls, appliances and gardens.
• Deposit dispute Scotland: timelines, schemes, evidenceHow deposit disputes work in Scotland: the 30 working day deadlines, the three schemes, how adjudicators weigh evidence and what an inventory needs.
• Tenancy deposit disputes in England and Wales (2026)Deposit rules and disputes in England and Wales after the Renters' Rights Act: the three schemes, deadlines, free ADR, evidence and Welsh inventory terms.