When you sign a tenancy agreement, you are entering into a legally binding contract. If you change your mind or need to leave early, you are still liable for the rent and any other costs for the duration of the term, so make sure you are happy with the property, the landlord, and the terms of your tenancy agreement before committing.

It's important that you understand what you're signing. Landlords should give you a copy of a contract to look over before you commit to anything or make any payments, and they should not rush you into signing it. If a landlord is pressuring you to sign quickly, think carefully about whether you want them to be your landlord! 

If you will be living with other tenants, your tenancy agreement will be either a joint tenancy or an individual tenancy. There are important differences between these two types, so make sure you understand which one you are entering into and your liabilities under each.

Visit our Tenancy Agreement pageThis link will open in a new tab for information about what should be in your tenancy agreement, dodgy clauses to look out for, and your rights and responsibilities under the different types of tenancies.

ASK provides a contract checking service - you can send us a copy of the tenancy agreement before you sign, and we will check it for any problems and answer any questions you have.