Deposits, Contracts & Communication: What You Need to Know

Navigating the rental process for the first time—or even the fifth—can feel like a maze. From securing your deposit to signing a contract and keeping open lines of communication, there are plenty of steps where things can get confusing or go wrong.

At Homesty, we believe renting should be safe, fair, and easy to understand. Here’s what you need to know to rent with confidence—and how our platform supports tenants and landlords alike.

👉 Tenants >

👉 Landlords >

1. Deposits: More Than Just a Holding Fee

A rental deposit is there to protect the landlord against damage or unpaid rent—but it also protects tenants when handled correctly.

What to know:

• In the UK, deposits must be protected in a government-approved scheme (like DPS or MyDeposits).

• Tenants should receive the details of where their deposit is held within 30 days.

• Deposits are usually capped at five weeks’ rent.

How Homesty helps:
We only transfer the deposit to the landlord once the tenant confirms the condition of the property—adding a layer of trust and safety for both sides.

2. Contracts: Fairness Starts on Paper

A good tenancy agreement sets clear expectations and protects everyone involved. With the Renters (Reform) Bill expected to bring major changes in 2025—including banning no-fault evictions and replacing fixed-term contracts with rolling ones—tenancy agreements are more important than ever.

What to look for in a contract:

• Clear rent amount and payment dates

• Defined responsibilities (repairs, utilities, etc.)

• Termination and notice clauses

How Homesty helps:
All agreements on Homesty are signed securely via DocuSign, using templates that align with the Renters (Reform) Bill’s upcoming standards. No printouts, no postal delays—just safe, compliant digital contracts.

3. Communication: Where It All Breaks Down (or Builds Trust)

Most tenancy issues start with poor communication. Whether it’s repair requests, rent queries or notice periods, clarity and transparency are key.

Common pitfalls:

• Relying on text messages or WhatsApp

• Misunderstandings around terms or responsibilities

• No written record of requests or conversations

How Homesty helps:
Our in-app messaging keeps conversations professional, secure and easy to reference. Both parties stay accountable—and out of the confusion.

Why This Matters

Renting a home is about more than transactions—it’s about trust. When deposits are delayed, contracts are unclear, or messages are missed, trust breaks down. That’s why Homesty was built with transparency at its core.

With secure payments (via Stripe), digitally signed contracts (Via Docusign), and centralised messaging, we’re creating a safer, more empowering rental experience.

Final Thought

Whether you’re a tenant looking for a fair start or a landlord wanting to protect your property without the hassle—understanding how deposits, contracts, and communication should work is essential.

Homesty helps make it simple. Fair terms. Transparent systems. And everything in one place.

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