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Rental reference checks for people moving from abroad to London
For anyone moving to London from abroad, the local rental market can seem a little confusing – not least the reference checks. Like anywhere in the world, landlords and letting agents in the UK capital must conduct background checks to reduce financial and legal risks associated with renting property – so you need to know what to provide before you can secure one.
Here’s a summary of the processes you will be exposed to and the types of documents you will have to provide when preparing to rent in London.
Right to Rent
The Right to Rent check was introduced by the Home Office to make it harder for people to live and work in England illegally. Letting agents and landlords are required by law to check that all tenants over the age of 18 who occupy their properties have legal status to live in the UK.
Acceptable ID documents for a physical Right to Rent check fall into three categories: List A, List A Group 2, and List B.
Some landlords outsource the ID verification element of Right to Rent checks to certified Identity Verification Service Providers (IDSPs).
Other checks
Landlords and letting agents in London also typically request the following documents as part of their own background checks:
- Proof of employment and income: As an overseas resident you will probably be asked to provide proof of steady employment in the UK, and a reliable source of income by supplying documents like employment contracts, pay slips, or letters from their employers confirming their job status and income. Employment abroad will not be considered by landlords, only employment in the UK.
- Bank statements: You will probably be required to prove you can cover the rent and associated expenses by providing several months of bank statements.
- Previous rental history: Have details of your previous rental experiences to hand, such as rental agreements, proof of rent payments, and letters of recommendation from landlords.
Give yourself the best chance of securing your ideal rental property in London by preparing your documents before you start engaging with landlords and letting agents.
Take a look at our handy calculator on rent affordability
Renting FAQs
Are rental conditions negotiable? (i.e. rental prices & if I can have a pet). Yes, discuss with the agent and they will give you an idea if the landlord is flexible. Bear in mind that estate agents work for the property owners, not tenants, and if you try to negotiate rental prices they will always aim to get the best final price for their client.
Can I rent in London if I don’t have a UK bank account? You do not need a UK bank account in order to rent – in fact, it is the contrary. In most cases, you need a rental tenancy, or let’s say permanent address, in order to open a bank account! Most tenantswill pay their first month of rent and security deposit from their existing bank account in their country of origin.
Do rental leases always start on the first of the month? In London, and in the UK in general, leases can start on any day of the month. Generally, they start during the work week, but we have known leases to start on a Saturday, or even a bank holiday.
Are furnished rental properties more expensive than unfurnished ones? Effectively, furnished properties are not systematically more expensive than unfurnished ones. Instead, the price of the property is determined, much like with unfurnished properties, by location, the number of bedrooms, and all other regular criteria.
Should London tenants pay their rent on a weekly or monthly basis? Rent is payable each month, on the anniversary date of the tenancy agreement.
Consult with Simply London
So you have decided to move to London, or are considering moving to London?
We are here to help you make the most out of London, one of the world’s most open-minded cities you will find.
Whether you are coming on your own, with a partner, spouse, pet, and/or children, we would love to help you create a fantastic, fulfilling life in the British capital.
What we can help with in your relocation to London
- Find the best place to live in London
- Find the best places to go out to in London
- Answer any questions you might have, no filters needed!
Schedule a call with us today!
Testimonials
We are very excited about the apartment and our move. Isabelle was fantastic and we are very grateful for her help. Her flexibility and responsiveness made it feel like she was 100% with us throughout the process, and that took a lot of the stress out of a stressful situation. -Stacy & Matthew K
Moved from Switzerland to London a few months ago. Everything was handled very professionally with little effort from my part. Found an apartment, opened all the utilities, bank account, NIN number and all the painful details. A pleasure to deal with. -rolleikid
Article published – 22nd February 2024
