Hey guys just wanting some advice really, So long story short, I was renting a room in a flat in 2021 but had to move back to my mums house as she had a fall and is elderly which meant she needed looking after until she was back on her feet-which took a while!. Then because of lock downs and whatever else, I got stuck here and my mental health suffered massively and resulted in me being signed off in 2023. I’m slowly getting out of that rut now and want to private rent, get back into work and move to another area but I have no references. I am in the process of saving enough to cover 6 months rent upfront, is it likely that a landlord will take me on without references even with rent paid in advance? Any advice would be great 
Sorry to hear of past difficulties and good to hear recovering.
LLs wont be able to ask for or accept large rent in advance from 1 may (except 1 month between signing contract and move in say!) - extract below- so the savings not as relevant any more tho good to show as evidence you are living within your means and can plan and have a buffer
A history of income employer ref & affordability are more important than a previous LL ref - previous LL may be trying to help a bad tenant move on. Your LL ref from 2021 if you can get it may be more useful than you think
Good luck
“ Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, a landlord cannot ask for, encourage or accept rent before a tenancy agreement has been signed by them or their letting agent and the tenant.
If a tenant pays their rent monthly, then a landlord can ask them to pay their first month’s rent at any time between signing the tenancy agreement and the tenancy starting. This is also known as the pre-tenancy period. If the tenant is paying rent more frequently than monthly, for example, weekly, the landlord can ask the tenant to pay up to the first 28 days’ rent during the pre-tenancy period.
Once the pre-tenancy period has ended and the tenancy has started, rent payments will be payable on the rent due date agreed in the tenancy agreement. A landlord will not be able to require the tenant to make their rent payment before that date, regardless of what the tenancy agreement says. However, the tenant may choose to pay their rent early to help them budget. Once the tenancy has started the tenant can choose to pay any amount of rent early.”
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Hi David thanks for replying.
Ohhhh, I wasn’t aware of the new ruling! so that ones out the window haha….. so just be be sure, does this mean that a landlord cannot take rent payments upfront pre tenancy but once the tenancy has started, I could pay say a month or two in advance to make sure its covered?
I don’t think id be able to get a reference from the landlord as he went to prison around the time I moved out and a family member was overseeing everything, then as far as I’m aware, the property was sold on to another lady!
I have a work/income history pre 2023 and would be happy for a credit check to be carried out but as I’m signed off atm, the rent would need to be paid via DSS until I’m back in work, would the same affordability checks still stand or is there a different process? sorry but I’m clueless to this kinda stuff tbh
Thanks in advance
Yes you can pay earlier if you like but LL can’t rely on it or request it
Maybe the family member (or LL who went to prison) will still be willing to confirm you paid on time and left it in a good state if you did, if you can track down.
LLs check if you can afford in different ways just like some are happy to accept DSS others prefer people in employment (blanket bans like ‘no dss’ are illegal) just like some will prefer no pets or no children.
Good luck
If you’re “clueless” then I’d recommend you spend some time getting clued up on the Shelter housing charity website. It has a lot of great guides for tenants which will help you know what’s what, esp with the changes coming in next month.
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Right ok , I’ll have a look and check what’s what. Thanks for your help.
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