Where to Search
- Rightmove.co.uk — #1 UK property site, 95%+ of listings
- Zoopla.co.uk — #2, price history shown
- OnTheMarket.com — newer, some exclusive listings
- SpareRoom.co.uk — flatshares and rooms in shared houses
- Gumtree.com — direct-from-landlord (higher scam risk)
- Facebook Marketplace — direct, check carefully
- Letting agents in person — walk the high street of target area
Right to Rent Check
Since 2016, landlords MUST verify your right to reside in the UK before renting. They face £3,000 fines for letting to illegal immigrants.
- British/Irish citizens: show passport
- EU/EEA with settled status: generate a share code at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status
- Visa holders: show BRP or use share code
- Students: Student visa acceptance
- Visitors/ETAs: generally cannot rent long-term (short-term Airbnb/serviced apartments fine)
Deposits & Fees
| Item | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | 5 weeks rent | Max by law (Tenant Fees Act 2019) |
| First month rent | 1 month | Paid upfront |
| Holding deposit | 1 week | Max, offset against first month |
| Reference fees | £0 | Banned since 2019 |
| Admin fees | £0 | Banned since 2019 |
| Guarantor fee | £0 | Banned |
| Cleaning fee | £0 | Banned (must be included in rent) |
⚠️ Tenant Fees Act 2019: Letting agents CANNOT legally charge reference, admin, credit check or inventory fees. If they try, report to Trading Standards.
Council Tax
Council tax is the UK's local tax — funds rubbish collection, libraries, social care. You (the tenant) pay it, not the landlord. Amount depends on the property's "band" (A-H).
- Band A (lowest value): £80-120/month
- Band C (average): £130-170/month
- Band E-F (larger flats): £180-260/month
- Band H (luxury): £300-500/month
- Single Person Discount: 25% off if you live alone
- Full-time students: 100% exempt
Tenancy Types
- Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) — standard 6-12 month contract
- Periodic tenancy — rolls month-to-month after AST ends
- Joint tenancy — flatmates sharing liability equally
- Lodger — renting a room from live-in landlord; fewer protections
- HMO (House in Multiple Occupation) — 3+ unrelated tenants, licensed
📝 Deposit protection: Your deposit MUST be placed in a government scheme (DPS, MyDeposits, TDS) within 30 days. You receive a certificate. If not, you can sue the landlord for up to 3x the deposit.