Renting in the UK as a Newcomer: Deposits, Checks and Costs

You've landed in the UK, or you're about to, and you need somewhere to live before anything else falls into place. Renting in the UK as a newcomer can feel stacked against you: no credit history, no UK references and a lot of money due up front. The good news is that tenants in England gained stronger protections in 2026, and knowing them helps you avoid overpaying.

This guide focuses on England, with a short section on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It reflects the rules as of September 2026, based on official sources.

Right to Rent checks and share codes

Before a tenancy starts in England, landlords must check that every adult aged 18 or over has the Right to Rent. If your permission to stay is time-limited, the check happens in the 28 days before your tenancy begins.

If you're not British or Irish, you can prove it in one of two ways:

• a share code generated online from your UKVI account, which shows your eVisa
• your original immigration documents

A landlord can't reject you because of which option you choose. The share code is free and usually the easiest route.

Right to Rent checks apply only in England. They don't apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What renting in the UK costs up front

In England, the Tenant Fees Act 2019 limits what landlords and agents can charge.

Holding deposits

To reserve a property while checks are done, you can be asked for a holding deposit of up to 1 week's rent. The landlord can usually hold it for 15 days.

You should get it back unless you give false information, change your mind, or don't respond to reasonable requests. If the landlord keeps it, they must explain why in writing within 7 days.

Tenancy deposits and protection

As of September 2026, the tenancy deposit is capped at 5 weeks' rent where annual rent is under £50,000, and 6 weeks' rent where it's £50,000 or more.

Your landlord or agent must protect it in a government-approved scheme within 30 days. In England and Wales these are the Deposit Protection Service, MyDeposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme. When you both agree on the amount at the end, the landlord must return it within 10 days.

Banned fees

Landlords and agents can't charge you for referencing, inventories, a professional guarantor service, contents insurance or deposit replacement products. Permitted payments include rent, the capped deposits, some utilities, a fee for a lost key and a late rent fee.

The Renters' Rights Act: what changed in England

The Renters' Rights Act 2025 brought major changes to private renting in England on 1 May 2026:

• Section 21 "no-fault" evictions ended. Landlords now need a legal ground to end a tenancy.
• Fixed terms were replaced. Most tenancies are now rolling assured periodic tenancies.
• You can leave with 2 months' notice.
• Rent in advance is limited. Landlords can ask for no more than one month's rent between signing and the tenancy starting.
• Rental bidding is banned. Adverts must show a price, and landlords can't accept offers above it.
• Rent can rise only once a year, with at least 2 months' written notice.
• Landlords can't refuse you because you have children or receive benefits, and must consider pet requests.

Further stages, including a landlord register and an ombudsman, are still being rolled out.

Renting without a UK credit history

Landlords usually check your income, previous addresses and credit history. Newcomers often lack all three, so be ready to offer something else:

• a job offer letter or employment contract showing your salary
• a letter from your university, if you're a student
• bank statements showing savings
• a UK-based guarantor, if you know someone who could act as one

In the past, many newcomers were asked for 6 or 12 months' rent up front. In England, that's no longer allowed: the one-month limit applies whatever your credit history.

Open a UK bank account as soon as you can. Paying rent and bills on time from a UK account helps you build a record for future moves.

Renting in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Scotland: Deposits can be up to 2 months' rent and must be protected within 30 working days of the tenancy starting. Fees such as admin or credit-check charges are illegal.
• Wales: Under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, tenants are "contract-holders" with written occupation contracts. The no-fault notice period is 6 months.
• Northern Ireland: Deposits can't be more than one month's rent and must be protected within 28 days. You should get written tenancy information within 35 days.

Council tax, bills and your first-month budget

You'll usually pay council tax if you're 18 or over. The amount depends on your council and the property's band. If you live alone, you get 25% off. Households where everyone is a full-time student don't pay at all.

You'll also need to set up energy, water and broadband unless bills are included. You need a TV licence if you watch or record live TV or use BBC iPlayer. As of September 2026, it costs £180.

Your landlord insures the building, not your belongings. Contents insurance is optional, and a landlord in England can't make you buy it through them, but it's worth pricing up if you're bringing a laptop, phone and other valuables.

A first-month budget, step by step

1. Get your share code ready from your UKVI account.
2. View the property in person or by live video call, and check the landlord or agent is genuine.
3. Pay a holding deposit of no more than 1 week's rent, and get a receipt.
4. Sign the tenancy, then pay your deposit and up to one month's rent.
5. Confirm deposit protection within 30 days.
6. Register for council tax and set up utilities.
7. Arrange contents insurance and a TV licence if you need them.

A worked example

Say you're a nurse from Manila renting a one-bedroom flat in Birmingham for £900 a month. That's £10,800 a year, or about £207 a week.

Your holding deposit could be up to about £207, and your tenancy deposit up to about £1,038. With one month's rent, you'd need roughly £1,938 at the start, plus council tax, bills and a few weeks' living costs. If you're arriving on a work visa, our Skilled Worker visa guide helps with the wider relocation budget.

Rental scams and common mistakes to avoid

Spotting a fake listing

Fake listings often target people who are still abroad. Common signs include a price well below similar properties, a "landlord" who is overseas and can't show you round, and pressure to pay by bank transfer before you've seen the flat.

Common mistakes

• Paying before viewing, especially to someone you found online.
• Paying more than 1 week's rent as a holding deposit.
• Agreeing to months of rent in advance in England.
• Not checking deposit protection within 30 days.
• Paying banned referencing or admin fees.
• Assuming English rules apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Your next steps

Get your share code ready, work out your first-month budget from the table above and gather proof of income. Then shortlist properties and view before paying.

If a landlord keeps your deposit unfairly or charges banned fees, contact your local council's private housing team or your deposit protection scheme. For disputes that involve your immigration status, consider an IAA-regulated adviser or a solicitor.