Private renting- landlord/tennant agreements?

Marleyandme

My partner and I are considering renting privately through word of mouth/private ad, ie. not through an agent. I understand this puts us in a less secure position should things go wrong. I seem to remember a long time ago when I rented privately, there was some kind of legal document like a landlord/tennant agreement which both parties signed and offered some security to both. How do I go about getting one of these and where from?

Thanks

tbs624

It doesn't put you in a less secure position. It's often easier to deal direct with a LL who manages his/her own properties, and you are unlikely to get fleeced for "admin charges" , as you would be if you used a LA. If you use a LL who is a member of a local or national LL association they will be signed up to a code of conduct.

Your Tenancy Agreement would be provided by the LL and will probably be an AST (Assured Shorthold Tanancy) unless you are in Scotland and you should always ask for a copy to take away and read through properly before signing it.Always query anything you are not sure about. The LL has to comply with the same laws as LA s are supposed to, on things like gas safety certificates, adequate insurance, maintaing the property in good safe condition, registering your tenancy deposit etc. See here for useful info: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/BuyingAndSellingYourHome/RentingAHome/DG_4001366
and here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TenancyDeposit/index.htm