Tenant Deposit Protection Evidence Pack: move-in and move-out checklist
Log the evidence that gets your deposit back in full under the new renting rules
- Download it the moment you've paid
- Print at home, or use it on your phone or tablet
- Secure checkout by Stripe
Why it helps
A practical, printable evidence pack for tenants moving in or out under the UK's 2026 renting rules. Room-by-room move-in and move-out checklists, an ongoing repair log, a key-dates tracker and ready-to-copy email templates — everything you need to document your tenancy properly so you've got the evidence if a deposit dispute ever happens.
What's inside
- A before-you-move-in checklist covering the written statement of key terms, deposit protection deadlines and gas/EICR paperwork
- A room-by-room move-in evidence checklist designed to mirror exactly what you'll need at move-out
- An ongoing tenancy log for repairs, damage and landlord communication, so nothing gets forgotten months later
- A move-out day checklist that produces evidence a scheme adjudicator can directly compare to your move-in photos
- A key dates tracker for deposit protection deadlines, notice periods and report dates
- A step-by-step guide to formatting evidence for an actual scheme dispute submission
- Four ready-to-edit email templates for requesting paperwork, reporting faults, querying a check-out report and disputing a deduction
Take a look inside
Questions
Do I need to be a tenant under the new 2026 rules for this to work?
No. The move-in/move-out evidence discipline in this pack applies to any assured shorthold or standard tenancy, whenever it started. The parts referencing the written statement of key terms and 2026 deadlines are most relevant if your tenancy started on or after 1 May 2026, but the checklists themselves work for any deposit dispute.
Is this a legal document or does it replace a solicitor?
No — it's a practical checklist and evidence-organising tool, not legal advice. If a dispute becomes serious or high-value, this pack gives you a well-organised starting point to bring to a solicitor or to Citizens Advice, but it doesn't replace either.
What format is it in?
A downloadable PDF, designed to be printed and filled in by hand, or typed into if you prefer to keep it digital. Print the move-in and move-out checklists twice — once for your own file, once to share with your landlord or agent if you want a jointly signed copy.
Will this guarantee I get my deposit back?
No pack can guarantee that — every tenancy and dispute is different. What this does is put you in the strongest possible position by making sure you have the dated evidence that scheme adjudicators actually look for, instead of trying to reconstruct it from memory after the fact.