Renting is on the rise across the UK, and fewer properties can be found on the market, compared to last year. With rent and bills increasing, the majority of tenants prefer to stay at their current homes, and avoid the hassle of finding a new property, as the rental prices are going up since January 2022.

Before you start your house hunting process, you will need to be familiar with the renting process and everything required from you before moving in if you’re to find a snazzy place.  

So, if you happen to find yourself asking, “what documents do I need to rent a flat?”, you’ve come to the right place.  

We’ve put this guide together detailing everything you need to know about the documents required to rent a flat. Read on, and become an expert, so you can move into your next place without any hassle. 

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO RENT A FLAT IN THE UK?

Whether you’re renting in London, Manchester, Liverpool, or anywhere else in the UK, you will be required to provide certain documentation. This is to make sure you are who you say you are and to determine your suitability for renting a flat. We’ve listed the documents needed below.  

DOCUMENTS FOR TENANT REFERENCING

The majority of landlords and letting agents require you to undergo tenant referencing. That means you will need to provide specific documents that show if you’re suitable to rent a flat, and These documents include: 

RIGHT TO RENT

Right to Rent is a legal requirement in the UK, with all landlords and letting agents needing to check a tenant’s right to live in the UK. You will need to provide paperwork confirming your identity and current address.  

These can come in the form of a passport, driving licence or a utility bill. If you’re moving to the UK from abroad, you’ll need to show a copy of your visa that states your eligibility to live and work in the UK.  

Other acceptable documents include a national identity card, immigration status document or other paperwork accepted by the government’s Right to Rent scheme. Without proving your right to rent, you won’t be able to move into the property unfortunately.  

IDENTIFICATION

Of course, you need a proof of your identify, so having a copy of your passport, driving license or ID is important.

 

EMPLOYEE REFERENCE AND INCOME STATUS

If you’re employed full time, you will need to provide a reference from your current employer. This is to confirm that you are employed by the organisation and that everything matches up with the information you initially provided.  

Therefore, you will need to speak to your employer to see if they’ll provide a reference. Other details included in the reference relate to your income and provide insight about your character and what type of person you are.  

The employee reference is important, but you will also need to provide documents providing your employment status and income. These are required to prove that you can afford the rent on the property. 

LANDLORD OR AGENT RECOMMENDATION

You may also need to provide a letter of recommendation from your previous landlord or letting agent. Again, this is to confirm your character and confirm how long you lived in their property and whether you kept it in good condition during the tenancy, and paid your rent on time.

The reference is important, as your new landlord will want to let someone who will look after the property.  

CREDIT CHECKS

A credit check will be required as part of the moving-in process and the documents needed to rent a flat. This is so the landlord can gain insight into your credit history to get an idea of how reliable you may be with rent payments.  

You don’t need to do anything for a credit check, as all the documents relating to your credit score can be obtained digitally by the letting agent or landlord. It’s calculated by several factors, such as missed payments, unpaid loans and defaults on accounts.  

A good credit score increases your chances of renting the property, though a bad one doesn’t mean you can’t move in. It will be at the discretion of the landlord, and they may ask for a guarantor on your behalf.  

WHAT IS A GUARANTOR?

Some renters require a guarantor because they don’t meet the necessary requirements to move into a rented home. A guarantor guarantees the rent should the tenant fail to make any payments.  

Guarantors must also provide documents to prove they can cover the rent if need be. These documents include proof of income, proof of identity, current address and relationship with the tenant.  

If you have no guarantor, there is a possibility of paying your rent upfront, or arranging instalment plans with your Landlord or Letting Agent.

THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO RENT A FLAT

Renting a new home is an exciting time and something to look forward to. But it’s important that you have all the necessary documents required. Doing so will speed up the renting process and get you moving into your new humble abode in no time.  

 

Credits to: Mark Flint