Before Key Collection Day

Moving into a Bath rental is exciting, but the first forty-eight hours set the tone for the whole tenancy. Do a little groundwork before you collect the keys and you will save yourself a great deal of hassle later.

By the time you are handed the keys, your paperwork should be complete and you should have received a few key documents. Chase anything that is missing before you move your belongings in, not after:

• A signed tenancy agreement, with the correct start date and rent amount.
• Confirmation that your deposit has been protected in a government-approved deposit protection scheme, plus the prescribed information, normally within thirty days.
• A current gas safety certificate, an energy performance certificate, and an electrical installation condition report.
• The latest version of the government's How to Rent guide, which landlords and agents in England must provide.

It is also worth checking the deposit itself. For most tenancies, deposits are capped at five weeks' rent where the annual rent is under £50,000. If you have been asked for more, ask why in writing. While you are at it, check the council tax band for the property and confirm broadband availability, because some of Bath's older buildings have limited options.

On the Day: Keys, Meters and Photographs

When you collect the keys, take a moment to ask exactly what you are being given. In a city full of converted Georgian townhouses, that might include a front door key, a flat key, a communal entrance fob, a bin store key, a window key and possibly a key for a shared garden. Test each one while the letting agent or landlord is still with you.

Next, record your meter readings. Take clear, dated photographs of the gas meter, electricity meter and water meter if there is one, and note the figures on your check-in paperwork or in an email to the landlord. Then contact the suppliers to open accounts in your name from the day you moved in. This single step prevents the most common first-month dispute: a bill for the previous tenant's usage.

Finally, find the practical controls. Locate the stopcock, the fuse box, the boiler and the gas isolation valve. Test the smoke alarms and any carbon monoxide alarm. Check the boiler pressure and note whether the heating responds. If something does not work on day one, report it immediately, while it is clearly not your fault.

The Inventory and Schedule of Condition

You will usually be given an inventory, or a schedule of condition, listing the contents and their state. Read it properly, room by room, with the document in hand. Anything missing, damaged, cracked, stained or unclean needs to be recorded. Take your own dated photographs to support each point, especially of scuffs, chips and marks that could later be blamed on you.

Be specific rather than vague. "Scratch approximately 10cm long on the left-hand kitchen drawer front" is far more useful than "kitchen worn". Return the signed inventory within the deadline, which is typically seven days. If you do not, you may lose the right to dispute deductions at the end of the tenancy, and that can be expensive.

Safety, Utilities and the First Forty-Eight Hours

Use your first couple of days to get the essentials running smoothly:

• Register for council tax with the local authority and apply for any single person's discount you are entitled to.
• Set up energy, water and broadband accounts, giving your opening readings.
• Sort out a TV licence if you need one, and arrange contents insurance. The landlord insures the building, not your belongings.
• Check bin collection days and what is recycled locally. In Bath's terraced streets, bins are often shared in communal stores, so label yours with your flat number to avoid confusion.
• Apply for a residents' parking permit if you have a car and your street is in a controlled zone. These can take time to process, so do it early.
• Register with a GP surgery if you are new to the area. Many practices have catchment areas, so check before you need an appointment.

Living in an Older Bath Property

Bath's housing stock is beautiful and full of character, but it comes with quirks worth understanding from the start. Sash windows can be stiff or draughty; never force them, and report any that will not close properly, as this affects both security and heating bills. Many buildings are listed, which means alterations such as satellite dishes, external fixtures or even some picture hooks may need permission.

Bath's water is hard, so limescale builds up quickly. Check the shower head, kettle and washing machine, and if there is a water softener, ask how to top it up with salt. Ventilation matters too: use extractor fans, keep trickle vents open and avoid blocking air bricks, as trapped moisture leads to mould and condensation that can be blamed on you.

Ask for a proper handover on the heating system. Storage heaters, electric panels and older boilers all behave differently, and setting timers correctly will make a real difference to your winter bills.

Keeping the Tenancy Running Smoothly

Report repairs in writing as soon as you notice them, even small ones, and keep a folder of emails, photographs and receipts. Confirm any verbal agreements by email the same day, and keep a note of who you spoke to and when.

Treat your first week as the foundation of a good relationship with your landlord. Clear records, prompt reporting and a signed inventory protect you, keep the property in better condition, and make the end of your tenancy far less stressful when the time comes to move on.