Guide to renting a residential property

Process of Renting in the UK

• Register your requirements with a reputable estate agent

• Accept a property

• Pay the deposit and sign the agreement

• Check into the house

Search for a rental property in the UK

Find a few reputable estate agents and register your interest in rentals in the area, or search online.

UK Market Conditions

Looking at current market conditions can also give you an indication of the value of your property. We issue monthly national lettings reports which you can see here.

Accept a property

Once you have found a suitable property, you can tell the agent managing the property that you would like to go ahead. From here, the agent will check references, arrange a tenancy agreement, create an inventory and secure your deposit in a government-backed scheme.

Check into the house

The agent will check you into the house and check you out when you leave. The agent may also do regular property inspections and manage any repairs.

Costs of Renting in the UK

Renting in the UK involves fewer costs than buying and a much smaller deposit. Here are the costs involved.

Deposit

The deposit will be 4-5 weeks' rent. It is illegal for a landlord to ask for a deposit of more than 5 weeks’ rent, or 6 if your yearly rent exceeds £50,000.

You will get this deposit back when you leave the property. However, if there is damage to the property, or if you have rent arrears, then the agent can keep some of it.

Rent in advance

Before you move in, you may be asked to pay a month's rent upfront. If there are issues with credit checks or references then the agent can request several months' rent in advance, or that you have a guarantor in place.

Insurance

You may want to get content insurance to protect the items on the property. It is up to the landlord to insure their belongings if the property is furnished.

Agency fees

The estate agent may have charges should you lose the key or wish to amend or end your tenancy.

Tenancy agreements

There are a few types of tenancy agreements that you might come across when renting a property. It is important that you take the time to read and understand the contract before you sign anything.

Assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs)

The most common tenancy in the UK is an AST. This means it is a private rent, the tenancy started on or after 15 January 1989, the property is your main accommodation and the landlord does not live there.

If your landlord wishes to adjust the rent, they must give you a month's notice of the changes. The increase should be realistic and in line with other properties in the area. The tenancy agreement should outline how often the rent will be reviewed.

Excluded tenancies or licences

You may have this agreement if your landlord lives with you and you share facilities. This type of tenancy doesn’t offer as much protection against eviction as others do.

Renting in the UK from Overseas

When you rent in the UK from overseas, the letting agent or landlord will perform Right to Rent checks. You will be asked for documents that prove you have the right to permanently or temporarily live in the UK.

You will likely have to share documents that prove your employment status or that you have a certain amount of money in your bank account. In some cases, you may be asked for a guarantor. This is someone who will pay the rent for you if you fail to do so.