Before signing the lease, it`s a good idea to walk around with the landlord and fill out a property inspection report – sometimes called a «status report». Note the condition of each room and all furniture, appliances, etc., provided by the owner (so-called «chattels»). This ensures that you both agree on the condition of the property before moving in. It will also help avoid subsequent conflicts over whether something was already worn or damaged before you contracted. MoneySavingExpert.com is part of the MoneySuperMarket Group, but is completely editorially independent. Their position to put the consumer first is protected and enshrined in the legally binding editorial code. In Scotland, your landlord must, in most cases, present a written lease. In particular, your landlord must submit a written lease if you are a tenant of a dwelling in the public sector or if you are an insured or briefly insured tenant of a private lessor. However, if the tenant moved in and paid nothing, it may be more difficult to prove what the agreed rent was.
In this case, you may be able to claim that the tenant has no lease agreement – since paying rent is an essential part of a lease agreement. So, since they have not signed a document and have never paid rent, it could be argued that they only have a license of occupation that you can terminate and then distribute through the courts. Before or at the beginning of your tenancy, your landlord must also give you your account: in England and Wales, most tenants are not entitled to a written lease. .
