Starting a tenancy
Once you have found a place to rent, there are a number of checks and steps you should take before you sign a contract, pay a deposit or move in.
Before you sign a contract or pay a deposit
Before you sign a contract or pay a deposit, please check whether the property is licenced. Most landlords in Liverpool need a Selective or HMO licence.
Find out if your landlord needs a licence
Check our register to see if your landlord has a licence
If your landlord needs a licence but does not have one, please email privatesector.housing@liverpool.gov.uk.
How to prove your right to rent
Before you rent a property in England, you have to prove to your landlord that you are legally allowed to. How you do this depends on your nationality or immigration status. To prove your right to rent you can show your landlord:
- a current or expired British or Irish passport.
- a certificate of registration or naturalisation as a British citizen.
- your eVisa share code (GOV.UK) or your original immigration documents (GOV.UK). If you need help viewing and sharing your eVisa, contact the Our Liverpool team.
What deposits and fees do I need to pay?
Holding deposits
During this time, your landlord might ask you to pay a holding deposit while they complete checks on you. Paying a holding deposit means you are in line to rent the property. A landlord can only ask for one holding deposit.
The maximum cost of a holding deposit is one week’s rent. It is usually refundable and is typically deducted from your first month’s rent. However, there are some circumstances in which a landlord can retain your holding deposit. Visit Shelter’s website for further details on holding deposits.
Security deposits
A security deposit is money you pay in case you damage the property or have unpaid rent when you leave. You should get this money back when you move out, as long as you have paid all your rent and left the property in the same condition as when you moved in.
The cost of a deposit is capped at the cost of five weeks’ rent if your annual rent is under £50,000. If your annual rent costs over £50,000, the maximum cost is six weeks’ rent.
Deposit protection
After you pay your deposit, your landlord must protect it within 30 days. Landlords must use one of three government-backed deposit protection schemes:
Make sure you make a note of which scheme your deposit is registered with.
It is also a good idea to take photographs and videos of the property when you move in and move out. You should also check the itinerary, for example a list of kitchen equipment, furniture and electricals, in your tenancy agreement. You can use this as evidence if you have a problem getting your deposit back.
See our Getting your deposit back page for more advice on getting your deposit back when you leave the property.
Other fees
Landlords can only charge you for certain things. See Shelter’s guidance on what is a valid fee, under the Tenants Fees Act 2019.
If you think you have been charged a prohibited fee, please email privatesector.housing@liverpool.gov.uk.
Certificates your landlord must give you
Your landlord must give you certain documents when you move in. This includes:
- A valid Gas Safety Certificate
- A copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report
- The current Energy Performance Certificate
- A GOV.UK how-to-rent guide
- The landlord’s selective or HMO licence and licence conditions, if the property requires one.
Ask your landlord to see these documents if you have not received them. If you need to report an issue about these documents, please email privatesector.housing@liverpool.gov.uk.
Your landlord must provide contact details so you can report disrepair or ask a question. This includes an out-of-hours contact number for emergencies.
When you move in
Once you have moved in to your new home in Liverpool, you should register for Council Tax or tell the council you have moved.