Renting in the UK as an immigrant can feel overwhelming — different rules, unfamiliar documents, and landlords who want a UK credit history you simply do not have yet. This guide covers everything you need to rent a home in the UK in 2026, from finding a flat to signing your tenancy agreement.
What documents do you need to rent in the UK?
Landlords in England are legally required to carry out a Right to Rent check before you move in. This is a check on your immigration status to confirm you are allowed to live in the UK. You will need to provide original documents — photocopies are not accepted.
- ✓Valid passport (any nationality)
- ✓Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or eVisa — if you are not an EU or UK citizen
- ✓Share Code — generated at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status to share your visa status digitally
- ✓Proof of address in your home country (for referencing)
- ✓Bank statements (3 months) or a bank reference letter
- ✓Employment contract or employer reference letter
- ✓Last 3 months of payslips if employed
💡 Tip
If you have an eVisa (post-BRP system), generate your Share Code at gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status and send it to the landlord or letting agent. It is valid for 90 days.
What is referencing and how does it work?
Referencing is a background check carried out by the landlord or a specialist agency. It typically includes a credit check, employment verification, and a landlord reference. As a new immigrant, you may fail the credit check simply because you have no UK credit history — not because you are a bad tenant.
If you fail referencing, you have several options. You can offer to pay several months of rent upfront (usually 3–6 months), find a UK-based guarantor who will agree to cover rent if you cannot pay, or pay a higher deposit (though this is capped under the Tenant Fees Act 2019).
How much deposit will you need to pay?
Under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords in England can charge a maximum security deposit of 5 weeks' rent (for properties with annual rent under £50,000). In Scotland, the maximum is 2 months' rent. In Wales and Northern Ireland, rules differ slightly.
- ✓England: maximum 5 weeks' rent as deposit
- ✓Scotland: maximum 2 months' rent
- ✓Wales: maximum 6 weeks' rent
- ✓Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (TDS, DPS, or mydeposits) within 30 days
- ✓You must receive a Prescribed Information document about where your deposit is held
💡 Tip
Always check your deposit is protected at depositsprotected.com. Landlords who fail to protect your deposit correctly may owe you 1–3 times the deposit amount as compensation.
Understanding your tenancy agreement
Most rentals in England use an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement. This is a fixed-term contract, usually 6 or 12 months, after which it either ends or becomes a rolling monthly tenancy. Read every clause carefully before signing, especially around rent increases, break clauses, and what you are responsible for maintaining.
- ✓Check whether bills (gas, electricity, water, broadband) are included or not
- ✓Look for a break clause — this lets you leave early, usually after 4–6 months
- ✓Check what happens at the end of the fixed term — does it automatically renew?
- ✓Note which repairs the landlord is responsible for (structure, boiler, roof) vs. you (minor maintenance)
- ✓Check the notice period you need to give to leave
Your rights as a tenant in the UK
UK tenant rights are strong and are worth knowing before you sign anything. Your landlord cannot evict you without proper legal notice, and retaliatory evictions (being evicted for complaining about repairs) are illegal.
- ✓Your landlord must give at least 2 months' notice to end a tenancy (Section 21) — this is under review
- ✓Your home must meet a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (EPC rating E or above)
- ✓Your landlord must ensure gas appliances are safe — they need an annual Gas Safety Certificate
- ✓You have the right to a home free from serious hazards (damp, structural issues, fire hazards)
- ✓You cannot be charged for applying to rent a property (admin or referencing fees are banned)
Use our interactive housing guide to explore tenant rights, area guides, and the best UK cities for immigrants.
Explore Housing Guides →Tips for finding a flat with no UK credit history
- ✓Use Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom to find private landlords — they are often more flexible than agencies
- ✓Offer to pay 3–6 months' rent upfront to reassure landlords
- ✓Get a letter from your employer confirming your salary and employment status
- ✓Build your UK credit score immediately — open a bank account and get a credit-builder card
- ✓Look for properties managed by councils or housing associations — they have different referencing criteria
- ✓Ask your employer if they have partnerships with letting agencies or can provide a company guarantee
💡 Tip
Services like Canopy and Goodlord specialise in referencing for people with thin or overseas credit files. They accept international payslips and overseas bank statements.