Keep copies of all communication between you and your tenants. It's a good idea to keep a folder of information relating to each tenancy, so that you have everything together in one place. If you do end up in a dispute with your tenants, you will need to be able to provide evidence to a court to show your side of the story.

The following checklists and letters can help you to manage your rental business and communicate effectively with your tenants.

Checklists and flowcharts

• Preparing a property for letting checklist [1]
• Does your property need a Certificate of Fitness [2]
• Due Process flowchart [3]

Sample documents

• Sample Rent Book [4]
• Sample inventory [5]

Guidance

• Enforcement action available to councils [6]
• Rights of different private tenants [7]
• HMRC tutorial explaining landlords' tax obligations [8]

Communicating with your tenants

• Letter arranging to carry out repairs [9]
• Letter querying missed or late payment of rent [10]
• Letter to tenants to establish intentions at end of fixed term [11]

Ending a tenancy

• Notice to Quit for periodic tenant [12]
• Notice to Quit at end of fixed term [13]
• Notice to Quit if there has been a breach of agreement [14]

Deposit

• Letter returning deposit in full [15]
• Letter returning deposit less deductions [16]