Hi everyone,
I’m planning to move to the UK from the United States and I’m new to the rental process here. I don’t have a UK credit score yet, but I will have a work contract with a detailed salary and employment terms.
I’ve noticed that some listings mention a specific deposit amount, and I’m a bit unsure how this works for someone without a credit history. In practice, do most landlords accept proof of income and employment instead of a credit score? Is it common to agree on a higher deposit or several months’ rent upfront in these cases?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences or any advice on how this usually works on the platform.
Thanks in advance!
You would do well to get yourself familiar with how rental law works in the UK. Both of the things you suggested in your second paragraph will be illegal from May, for example, because of the recent introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act. Visit the website of housing charity Shelter and read some of their guides for tenants to help you understand what the legalities are.
Deposits are currently typically set at a month’s rent (5 weeks’ rent is the max currently). Because of your situation, LLs aren’t going to expect you to have a credit history in the UK. If you can get something from the US before you leave, that would help but I have no idea if there’s an equivalent there.
Because of this, your contract will be the key document but, if you haven’t yet started that contract, you might find that LLs won’t trust even this. Best to find somewhere temporary (Airbnb?) and then start work.
Once you’re working and you can show income on bank statements and payslips, you will have a better chance at getting a long-term rental. Get yourself round to local estate agents and get yourself on their books so that they can pass your details on to any LLs they have.
Rental market right now is very competitive with the changes in the law that have just been introduced. Brace yourself for that challenge (along with everything else that you’ll face in migrating here). I’ve lived and worked as an expat in lots of countries. It’s challenging but really rewarding. I hope it works out for you.
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@mod_harry why was that post above held in moderation? What’s the issue with it? I’ve been able to get around moderation by simply creating a new post and copying and pasting in one paragraph at a time so it’s all a bit pointless really.
The moderation rules here are really opaque and it makes it frustrating for us regular posters!
Hi @tatemono
Occasionally Discourse (who hosts this forum) will flag posts for a variety of reasons, we’ll try and review them as soon as possible. Apologies for any inconvenience caused here.
@Gabriel10
Credit history is just one part of picture everyone starts without credit history sometime
before you get to credit scores you need proof of a right to work in the UK (eg work visa). Without that it’s illegal to rent to you.
Deposits aren’t a substitute for income in the event of rent arrears or damage they can only be claimed from by landlord after end of tenancy. They are tenants money and have to be protected in one of 3 govt approved schemed and are max 5 weeks rent anyway.
If it’s a continuation of a long term contract with existing employers and you can provide a guarantor and a history of past rent payments and details of previous LLs that will all help show you are lower risk as would being able to pay a large advance (not possible after 1 may). If you don’t have a uk guarantor there are companies which provide this as a service for a fee.
If you fail affordability tests (often if rental is over 30% of gross income) then you need a uk guarantor otherwise landlord can’t get rent guarantee insurance
Good luck
and that guarantor should be based in the UK
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