There are organisations within the property market which aim to assist you in being a happy tenant.

Below, is a brief outline of what to expect from:
1. Letting agency
2. Accreditation Schemes

1. Using an agency

a) Agency Fees: - It is not legal for agencies to charge you just for registering with them. Once you have accepted a property, you may also have to pay a fee for having your tenancy agreement or inventory drawn up. This is a racket - why are we not given the amended inventory from previous tenants? You are not likely to have such fees returned.
b) Agency fees and rent paid in advance are not returnable.
c) A credit reference should only cost £30 to £40. Avoiding firms that charge high fees is the only way to stop this practice. If agencies "cook expenses" at the start, they may be more likely to cash in on the deposit return at the end of your tenancy.
d) Credit search. Charges are normally per applicant and credit search companies usually work on the rule that an applicant must earn over 30 times the per calendar month rent per annum (e.g. 30 x £650 pcm rent = £19500 annual income required)
e) Holding deposit. Used to reserve the property. Tenancy applicants should insist on both clarification and receipt of what they have just given to the agency.
f) Deposit and inventory. Agencies usually ask for a deposit of six weeks rent (unlike private lettings where landlords normally only ask for four weeks). The deposit will be held under the terms of the designated deposit scheme. SEE DEPOSIT SECTION OF WEBSITE. It is wise for tenants to go through the inventory face to face with the agent when moving in and out to agree on possible amendment. Tenants are recommended to keep a signed copy of the signing in and signing inventory.
g) Rent. Usually paid one month in advance, paid by bankers draft and part cash. Full cash payment or personal cheque payments are hardly ever acceptable to agencies. Subsequent payments are usually made through standing orders, and late rent usually results in an interest charge for the tenant.
h) Tenancy agreement / contract. Tenants are recommended to take the time to read the contract to ensure they understand before they arrange a time to go and sign it. Tenants are entitled to do this. Once the document is signed, KEEP all documents relating to the tenancy safe and together.
i) Bills and responsibility for utility services. These responsibilities normally pass to the tenant when agents are involved. This is essential for bills like gas, electric, water and council tax - who all require to be notified when tenants move in and move out of a property. Council tax discounts are available.
j) If tenants want phone / internet / cable TV - tenants will need to organise this themselves.
k) Clarify agent responsibilities. Tenants must know what they are - is the agent simply responsible for letting, or do they manage the property? If the agency doesn't manage the property, tenants must know who is collecting their rent and therefore responsible for maintaining the condition of the property. Tenants are legally entitled to write to the person who last collected rent, asking for the name and address of the landlord (tenants are advised to send this letter recorded delivery or email too for proof). If the person addressed in the letter doesn't reply within 21 days, that person has committed a criminal offence. The tenant should then contact their local authority Tenancy Relation Officer, who can prosecute the person who has failed to provide the contact information.
l) It is often quicker for tenants to inform the local authority of a possible emergency (e.g. a burst pipe) than attempt to discover the identity of the landlord. The local authority has power to carry out necessary work and will take necessary steps to identify the landlord to recover its costs.
m) ‘House back account'. This requires trust from all the tenants. Set up a bank account in the name of one of the tenants (or use a dormant one already established). Agree a monthly charge (always better to put in extra and get it back later) and have all bills withdrawn from this account. Quick and clean - if done correctly, it should end the awful ‘bill fights' that can happen in shared accommodation.

2. Accreditation Schemes

• What is Accreditation? A set of standards (or code) relating to the management or physical condition of privately rented accommodation.
• Accreditation schemes are voluntary schemes that good landlords join to demonstrate that they provide good quality accommodation. They are operated by local councils, Higher Education establishments or their agents and landlord associations.
• If the landlord is in one, ask the landlord or the scheme operator for a copy of the scheme - this will explain the quality standards with which the landlord's letting service will need to comply.
• If you think that your accredited landlord is not complying with the requirements of the scheme, in the first instance, discuss your concerns with your landlord - if you cannot reach agreement, then refer your complaint to the scheme operator for arbitration.
Landlords don´t do it to be lovely. To encourage their local landlords to become accredited, local councils provide a range of exclusive benefits.
• If, in the event of a dispute, your landlord does not comply with the ruling of the schemes arbitration panel, then the landlord risks losing their accreditation status together with the benefits that go with it.
• Accreditation schemes are voluntary and do not replace a user's legal rights as a tenant.