h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

When you rent a property, you should be given a lease agreement to sign by either the landlord or his agent. Make sure that you read it and if possible get it checked by an independant solicitor (you can get a 30 minute free appointment with most solicitors in the UK) before you sign it. If it's done through an agent they will use a general lease for all properties, no property is identical and there may be parts of the lease that do not have anything to do with the property you are renting, make sure these parts are removed before you sign it.

Make sure there is a smoke detector in the property, there should be one in any UK rented property by law, if there isn't make sure the agent/landlord fits one before you sign the lease.

I started renting my current flat two and a half years ago and,
credit where credit's due,my landlady was fitting a new battery
to the smoke detector in my flat on the day I moved in.As part
of my tenancy agreement,though,it is my responsibility to ensure
that it is maintained in working order,which is no great shakes,
as it ensures my safety as well as the safety of the people who
rent the other flats in the building.I just wish that other
landlords and people who I've shared houses with in the past
were as considerate as the people I currently know.The only
drawback is that the building is totally no smoking,so it's a
bit of a bind going outside in the rain for a ciggie,but i'd rather do that and make sure everyone's safe than trigger my smoke alarm
with a silly mistake and possibly lose my flat.