I’m moving from Dundee to London permanently in late Feb / March 2026. I own and run two businesses that are performing extremely well, and I hold significant personal savings. As is common for self-employed tenants, I’m structured to be tax-efficient and therefore pay myself a modest salary. My references will include government officials that I work with and my accountant.
I wanted to check how landlords on here view applications from self-employed professionals like me:
-Will landlords take into account savings, company income, references from government officials and accountants, as well as declared salary?
-For a move-in date of end of Feb / March 2026, when is generally best to start viewing and applying for flats?
-I’m ideally looking for a 1–2 bed (not shared), around Zone 1–3, ideally with a balcony (not a deal breaker), and my budget is up to around £2.1–2.5k per month.
Any guidance on timing, what landlords tend to prioritise, and how best to position an application like this would be very helpful.
I am self employed 52 years and a landlord. I would want accounts going back 3 years and a guarrantor Gut feeling as well. Lots of savings does not mean a tenant will use it for the rent.
@Greg15 the company isn’t paying the rent nor are the govt officials. Why would a LL care or be impressed by any of that?
Your ‘modest’ may be different from others
If your rental is more than 30% of gross income you may fail standard affordability checks and LL won’t be able to get rent gtee insurance unless you have a guarantor who does pass the checks.
Assume it’s competitive and you won’t necessarily get 1st place you offer on.
History of rent paid on time counts.
In z3 there are plenty of nice places where a nice 1bed flat will cost you rather less than 2.1k pcm
Suppose you have all documentation ready it’ll still take a week-2weeks from offer to get referenced and review and agree a tenancy agreement maybe longer as your situation needs more consideration/reassurance for a LL
You may find it much easier to look for something once here (stay at a friend’s?)
I can’t speak for others but if I get the price right I’d always hope to have some decent offers after 1 -2 weekends of advertising /viewings so ideally not have a place empty more than a month - but can take longer as people leaving previous tenancies and getting the right tenant is more important than choosing the first who offers the asking
Thank you for your feedback. Regarding Govt Officials @David that was for references to say what type of character I am and my successful background - the point I’m making is I’d be a good tenant - surely a landlord would want that. Regarding previous rent, I have currently have a mortgage in my home in Dundee, never missed a payment on that so I can show that too.
History of payments and lack of debts etc all in your favour
a LL may reasonably ask how you are going to afford rent as well as mortgage payments
-or if plan is to rent out your dundee place to cover the mortgage, evidence of rental income or tenancy agreement (if you’ve already found tenant) or rental valuations from agents might be a good idea
Any sensible LL will also want to know your intentions-/why relocating etc is it 3or 6 months while you look for a place to buy, depending on whether your business is successfully expanded down south etc etc