Private landlord tenancy agreements
Having a signed tenancy agreement will make it easier to deal with any disputes, should they arise. Assured shorthold tenancies are the most common type. You can get tenancy agreements from most stationery suppliers. More information is available and model agreements on the gov.uk website:
Tenancy agreements - a guide for landlords (England and Wales)
Model agreement assured shorthold tenancy
Agree your property's condition and an inventory of contents
The tenancy agreement should also include an inventory of all contents and their condition as well as the general condition of the décor and maintenance. Clear dated photographs of rooms, floor coverings, doors and windows should be used to establish this. The inventory should be checked and agreed by the tenant at the time of viewing. When the tenancy comes to an end, the inventory list can be used to decide how much of a tenant's deposit, if anything, will be returned.