Move-in day arrives and your inbox fills with tenancy agreements, inventories, deposit protection certificates, and standing order forms — all PDFs. Some need signing, some filling, some just keeping. Here's the kit.
Signing the tenancy agreement
Most letting agents send PDFs by email and ask for a signed copy returned. Use sign PDF in Flint, draw or type your name, then flatten so the signature is permanent. Save a copy to a folder you back up — disputes years later often hinge on which version of the contract was actually signed. If the agent uses an e-sign service like DocuSign, follow their flow instead; both produce a legally equivalent result.
Filling the inventory
Inventories are usually long PDFs listing every chip on every door frame. If sent as a fillable form, click and tick. If sent flat, open in Flint and add text on top — note disagreements, add photos. Return within the deadline (usually 7 days) and keep a dated copy. This is the document your deposit return will live or die by.
Keeping copies and combining records
Across a tenancy you'll collect 20+ PDFs: contract, deposit certificate, gas safety, EPC, references. Merge them into one tenancy folder PDF per year, then store in cloud and locally. When you move out, having everything in one place makes deposit recovery painless. If anything contains bank details to redact before sharing, use redact PDF first.
FAQ
Is an electronic signature on a tenancy legal?
In the UK and most jurisdictions, yes — drawn or typed signatures are legally binding for tenancy agreements. Keep your own signed copy as proof.
What if the agent sends a locked PDF?
Ask for an editable copy if you need to add notes. Don't try to unlock someone else's PDF; just request it. Agents send locked files by default but will usually re-send unlocked.
How long should I keep tenancy PDFs?
At least six years after the tenancy ends — landlords can pursue claims for up to six years, and you may need proof of payments or condition. Storage is cheap; lost paperwork is expensive.
Your tenancy paperwork lives or dies on PDFs. Sign, store, and protect yours properly from day one.