# Moving to the UK for the first time
**URL:** https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/moving-to-the-uk-for-the-first-time/91616
**Category:** Tenant Discussion
**Created:** [26 September 2026 18:49 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/moving-to-the-uk-for-the-first-time/91616 "2026-09-26T18:49:48Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Nayrouz](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Nayrouz)
#### Post date: [26 September 2026 18:49 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/moving-to-the-uk-for-the-first-time/91616/1 "2026-09-26T18:49:48Z")
how can i trust a landlord? is it safe to sign contracts online? are all landlords on here safe?
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### Author:  [@David240](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David240)
#### Post date: [26 September 2026 18:57 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/moving-to-the-uk-for-the-first-time/91616/2 "2026-09-26T18:57:48Z")
@Nayrouz
If you sign a contract via openrent they collect 1st months rent and security deposit and only paid to LL up to 10 days after move in, to stop rogue LLs taking £ then not handing over the keys.
But you should still do your own due diligence
For advice on scams see
> **[Landlord Scams & Fraud | Avoiding House Renting Scam](https://www.nrla.org.uk/resources/tenant/avoiding-fake-landlord-scams)**
>
> With landlord scams on the rise and many falling victim to them, we've put together a useful guide to help you recognise and avoid them.
Best
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### Author:  [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)
#### Post date: [26 September 2026 19:05 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/moving-to-the-uk-for-the-first-time/91616/3 "2026-09-26T19:05:41Z")
Wonder if they have a " Tenant Scams and Fraud "
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### Author:  [@David240](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/David240)
#### Post date: [26 September 2026 20:33 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/moving-to-the-uk-for-the-first-time/91616/4 "2026-09-26T20:33:00Z")
@Colin3
They don’t call it that but have this
> **[The complete guide to tenant referencing for landlords](https://www.nrla.org.uk/news/the-complete-guide-to-tenant-referencing-for-landlords)**
>
> Thorough tenant referencing is one of the most critical steps you can take as a landlord to protect your property and maximise the chances of having a successful tenancy. Evidence of a robust reference check is also a requirement of most landlord...
.
They share some ‘red flags’. Of course there are many more ‘scams’ once people move in, ranging from tenants who sublet, or tenants who move a partner, pet or child in without permission to ‘rent to rent’ deals by companies or LAs who don’t do maintenance and return properties to the LL trashed. If a council knows a tenant is in arrears but won’t find a place for them till bailliffs are called, despite the Homelessness Code, costing LLs time and £ to evict, just so council can delay having to deal with the tenant, is that a scam? Etc
Best
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### Author:  [@Colin3](https://community.openrent.co.uk/u/Colin3)
#### Post date: [26 September 2026 20:48 UTC](https://community.openrent.co.uk/t/moving-to-the-uk-for-the-first-time/91616/5 "2026-09-26T20:48:58Z")
yes I get it But notice the “Landlord Scams and Fraud” no such heading for tenants . Bias (scared of a backlash?) even from as association that I am a part of