Whether you’re a first-time renter, an experienced tenant, a working professional, or a full-time student, Allie Home is here to provide you with valuable insights and expert advice on the complexities and legalities of renting in the UK.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll lead you through each step necessary for renting a property in the UK.
Step 1: Viewing the Property
At Allie Home, we uphold a policy of absolute transparency and always use recent photos and videos of the property for advertising. However, it’s worth noting that some agencies may use outdated or false images. Hence, it’s always advisable to either personally visit the property or arrange a virtual tour before making any financial commitments. Ensure all your questions are satisfactorily answered by the agent.
Step 2: Making an Offer
Found the perfect property? Great! Your next step is to complete an offer form with relevant details—occupants, offer amount, desired move-in date, tenancy duration, and any other special requests. After that, our team will initiate negotiations to help you land your dream home.
Be ready to place a holding deposit (equivalent to one week’s rent) once your offer is accepted by the landlord. This means we can take the property off the market and commence the paperwork.
Step 3: Offer Accepted
Once your offer is accepted and we have received your holding deposit, we’ll initiate the referencing process. We will guide you through each step and all the essential documents needed to rent a property in the UK.
Step 4: Referencing and Background Checks
Every tenant needs to go through a full referencing process. This includes confirming your income, getting a reference from your previous landlord or agent, and completing any other necessary checks.
If you’re employed, you’ll need to present an employment letter/contract and recent payslips. If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to provide proof of your financial status along with your accountant’s contact details. For full-time students, advanced rent payment might be required.
We’ll also do a Right to Rent check on all adult occupants to confirm their legal status to rent in the UK. This involves checking your passport and any relevant visa, and obtaining a Share Code from the government’s website. Please note that we cannot proceed with the tenancy agreement if your right to rent is not confirmed.
Step 5: Signing the Tenancy Agreement
Once your references have been checked and approved by the landlord, it’s time to sign the Tenancy Agreement. We’ll ask you to pay the remaining move-in monies and make sure you’ve set up future rental payments.
Step 6: Welcome Home!
On the first day of your tenancy, we’ll arrange for an inventory check. After this is completed, the keys will be handed over to you! You’ll receive a copy of the inventory report along with any other tenancy-related documents.
If Allie Home manages your property, our devoted Property Management team will introduce themselves and be available to handle any immediate or long-term concerns. If the landlord is self-managing the property, we’ll ensure you have their contact information.
Navigating the rental process can sometimes be overwhelming and daunting, especially if you are renting for the first time. Should you face any challenges or have questions, Allie Home is here to support you. Our team excels in helping individuals and families find their ideal rental home, ensuring a smooth and stress-free experience.