What’s the advantage of a welcome pack?
Tenants often only see a property once before they move in and it can look very different when the previous tenants’ belongings are gone
It’s important to get things off on the right foot. A comprehensive, detailed and well thought out welcome pack is a great way to make that happen.
New tenants may also be unfamiliar with the local area. And if you're a landlord and you use a letting agent, they are unlikely to have a connection with you directly.A welcome pack should include a combination of legal or administrative necessities, useful advice, tips on the local area and, if you can provide them, a few thoughtful touches. Think about giving it to them in person, too.
This will help open a channel of communication between you and your new tenants and get the relationship off to the right start.
Here’s a list of the essentials you should include in any welcome pack when you meet new tenants.
Not sure where to start with creating a welcome pack? Our welcome pack template has everything you need.
Your tenant should have already signed the tenancy agreement before move in day, but it’s nice to include a copy of the agreement in the welcome pack so they have another copy to refer to.
A tenancy agreement is essentially a contract between you and your tenant. It describes the legal terms and conditions of the tenancy. Tenancy agreements can be hard to write from scratch but Total Landlord's legal partner, Landlord Action, can help with drafting legal documents such as AST agreements. If you are creating your own, here’s a handy list of suggested contents from GOV.UK:
The names of everyone involved
The cost of rent, the date it should be paid and any account details
How often the cost of rent will be reviewed
The amount of deposit required and how it will be protected
Specific details of the circumstances that will lead to the deposit being partially or totally withheld
The address of the property
When the tenancy starts and ends
The landlord and the tenant’s obligations
How often you will conduct inspections and the notice you will give
Which bills you will pay and which the tenant is responsible for
Whether it’s possible for the tenancy to end early and the circumstances that can lead to this
Any special clauses relating to tenant behaviour that might result in the tenancy ending, such as repeated noise complaints or disrespectful behaviour towards members of the community
Very important - It helps set the right tone and provides useful information.
Not very important - Tenants can figure things out on their own.
