As one of the most popular cities in the UK, it’s no surprise that London is a great place to live. It’s not just about living in one of the greatest cities on Earth, though – you also need somewhere to live! And if you want to rent a flat or house in the capital, you’ll need to know what documents are required at each stage of the process. We’ve put together a guide of everything you need to know about documents needed to rent a flat and how we can help with paperwork.
Renting a house or flat in the UK can be expensive and stressful. What do you need to do to rent a house or flat? A rubbish removal company in London presents all the documents you need to rent a house, plus some tips on how to improve your chances of getting accepted.
Documents for tenant referencing
You’ll need to speak to your employer and ask them to provide a reference for you to confirm your employment details, income, and insight into your character. You may also need to provide a reference from your previous landlord that shows you’re a responsible tenant, for instance, stating how reliable you are with rent payments and how well you looked after the house or flat.
As well as your written references, we’ll also need to see a copy of your payslips or bank statements from the past three months. You may also need to provide proof that you can afford the rent.
It’s best to be honest when you’re providing landlord references. The landlord will need to know that you’re a reliable tenant who can pay the rent regularly and keep the property in good condition. Provide them with at least three personal references that include your contact details and job history.
Documents that show your income and employment status
In order to rent a flat or house, you’ll need to provide certain documents that prove your employment status and your monthly or annual income. This is so the landlord can determine if you can afford the rent and if your income is stable.
Which documents you need to give will depend on whether you’re a full-time employee or self-employed. If you’re an employee, there are several documents you can provide to prove your income and employment. This is most commonly three to six of your most recent payslips from work. Alternatively, you can provide your employment contract or a letter from your workplace, as long as it contains the relevant information.
Self-Employed
If you’re self-employed it can be trickier to make rent payments, as you won’t have employer payslips. Letting agents, landlords and estate agents need to ensure that all tenants can afford the monthly rent when they sign a tenancy agreement. To check this, they will ask for income proof and bank statements to see if you earn enough money to support yourself.
You may need to prove your earnings over a longer period – often between one and three years. This could be in the form of bank statements, trading records or your tax returns. If you use an accountant, you may also need to provide their details so the letting agent can get a reference from them.
Proof of Identity
To rent a flat or house, you must be over 18 and a legal resident of the UK. Proof of identity and current address is needed in the form of a photo ID (such as a valid passport or driving license); Proof of address (such as utilities or tax bill); An Electoral Register entry for any adult(s) named on the tenancy agreement; If coming from abroad, a copy of your UK visa and associated documents allowing you to rent in the UK will also be required.
Credit check
A credit check is a document that gives insight into your financial history, including any unpaid bills and defaults on accounts. They are usually required when renting a flat or house so the landlord (or letting agent) can assess whether you’re reliable with rent payments, have good habits in terms of finances and also so they can see how much credit you have available to use on future rentals. If you’re in debt or have poor credit, potential landlords may not be able to rent the flat to you or they could request a guarantor if they feel it’s risky.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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