Move-In Pack — Serve the Right Documents at the Start of Every Tenancy
A new tenancy requires a specific set of documents to be served on the tenant before they move in. Getting this right is not optional — missing documents can block possession proceedings, invalidate deposit deductions, and leave you exposed to fines. Tenant City bundles everything into a single digital move-in pack, sent via e-signature with a timestamped delivery record.
What must be included in a move-in pack?
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tenancy agreement | The legal contract between landlord and tenant. Must be signed by all parties. |
| Gas Safety Certificate (CP12) | Must be served before move-in (or within 28 days of the annual check). Criminal offence not to. |
| Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) | Required before marketing the property and at start of tenancy. Minimum E rating. |
| How to Rent guide (current edition) | Government checklist that must be served at each new tenancy. Must be the latest edition — check GOV.UK before serving. |
| EICR (if available) | Electrical safety report — must be given to existing tenants within 28 days of inspection. |
| Deposit prescribed information | If a deposit was taken, the prescribed information from the protection scheme must be served within 30 days. |
| Property inventory / schedule of condition | Not legally required but essential for deposit disputes. Signed by tenant at move-in. |
How Tenant City generates move-in packs
- Upload your compliance documents — Gas Safety certificate, EPC, and EICR are stored against the property. They carry across to every new tenancy automatically.
- Add the tenancy agreement — upload or attach the signed tenancy agreement to the tenancy record.
- Generate the move-in pack — the platform bundles all documents into a single pack and sends it via Zoho Sign for e-signature.
- Tenant signs and receives — the tenant signs the agreement digitally and receives a copy of all documents in one email. Delivery is timestamped.
- Record stored — the signed pack, individual documents, and delivery confirmation are stored against the tenancy record permanently.
Move-out inspection — compare against move-in
At the end of a tenancy, the move-out inspection report should be compared side-by-side against the move-in inventory to identify any damage beyond fair wear and tear. Tenant City stores both documents against the tenancy record so the comparison is straightforward.
Having a signed move-in inventory — compared against a signed move-out report — is the evidence you need to make a legitimate deposit deduction. Without it, deposit protection schemes will typically rule in the tenant's favour.
Why paper move-in packs are risky
A paper pack posted or handed over at check-in creates a servicing risk. Was it received? Which version of the How to Rent guide was included? Was the Gas Safety certificate current? Did the tenant actually sign the inventory?
Digital delivery via e-signature eliminates these questions. You have a timestamped record of what was sent, when, to which email address, and when each document was opened and signed. If compliance is challenged — in possession proceedings, a deposit dispute, or an enforcement action — the record is unambiguous.
Pro plan feature
Move-in packs are a Pro plan feature, available per property. The Standard (free) plan includes property and tenancy management, compliance certificate storage, and maintenance requests.
Make your move-in process airtight — generate a compliant, e-signed move-in pack for every new tenancy.
Start freeThis page is for general information only. Document requirements change — always verify with GOV.UK or a solicitor.