The Documents Needed to Rent a House in the UK

Making that big move into a new property is a fun and exciting new chapter in your life. But it can also be a little stressful and confusing. Along with the chaos of actually moving, you need to make sure you have all the right paperwork and ID so your letting agent or landlord is happy for you to take the property on.

But what documents do you need to rent a house in the UK? In this article, we’ll run through all the bits and pieces you need to put together to make sure there are no delays ahead of your move.

What documents do you need to show when renting a property?

There are several documents you may need to show when renting a property, which will depend on your individual circumstances.

1. Proof of identity

Every landlord or letting agent will want to see proof of identity to make sure you are who you say you are. This isn’t because the landlord doesn’t trust you, it’s to help prevent fraud and protect the landlord by minimising the risk that the person they’re renting to might be up to no good.

Usually, a passport or driver's licence (full or provisional) will do the trick, or a national identity card if you’re an EU citizen). Just make sure your ID is up-to-date and valid.

2. Proof of address

Landlords will also want to see proof of your current address. This further helps them to validate your identity and reassures them that you’re a reliable tenant.

It’s recommended that you use a letter with your address on it, such as utility bills, bank statements, a council tax bill or something similar. Definitely don’t use junk mail, and make sure it’s something dated within the last three months.

3. Proof of income and employment

One of the biggest concerns for any landlord is whether or not you’ll reliably pay your rent every month. To verify this, they’ll want to see proof of your income and employment status, so they know that you can afford it. This one may make you feel a little uncomfortable, but it’s an important part of the process.

Something such as recent bank statements or payslips should be more than enough to put them at ease. If you’re self-employed, another option is to show them your most recent tax return (some may even ask for several years’ tax returns). Your income and employment status are important when making any big financial commitment, so make sure you have everything a landlord or letting agent needs.

4. Guarantor information (if applicable)

In some instances, a landlord may require a tenant to have a guarantor. This may be due to something such as earnings or low credit history. The guarantor acts as a fallback for the landlord, as they will take over paying the rent should the tenant miss rent payments.

The guarantor will need to provide documents of their own, including proof of ID, address, relationship with the tenant, and income. Then, in the future when you grow your credit history, a guarantor will hopefully not be needed for your next move.

5. Right to Rent check (for non-UK citizens)

If you’re not a UK citizen, to rent a property in the UK you’ll need to undertake a Right to Rent check. This ensures you have valid immigration status and the relevant permissions to live in the UK.

To do this, you must provide paperwork such as a visa, immigration status document or national ID card, which proves your eligibility.

6. References

Some landlords will want to receive one or two references so they’re comfortable that you’re a good tenant. These are usually in the form of an employer reference and a previous landlord reference. Solid character and employment references will always work in your favour when it comes to renting a new property.

Why do landlords and letting agents need to see documents before you can rent a house?

There are several reasons why landlords and letting agents ask to see certain documents before they agree to let out their property:

• Verifies your identity: This helps prevent fraud and protects the landlord’s investment. It’s also a legal requirement.
• Confirms your Right to Rent: Landlords must ensure they prevent illegal immigration, so must check if a tenant can legally rent their property.
• Protects their income: If you miss any rent payments, it can have a big impact on the landlord’s finances, so they want to ensure they minimise the risk.
• Prevents issues: Unfortunately, not all tenants are good ones. Checking documents helps give a landlord confidence that their property will be looked after.

What types of proof of address are acceptable when renting a house?

There are several documents you can use as proof of address when renting a property:

• Utility bills, such as gas or electric
• Bank statements
• Council tax bill
• HMRC letter
• Credit card statement
• Tenancy agreement
• Insurance documents
• Payslip
• Driving licence

Note that many landlords and letting agents consider mobile phone statements to be acceptable documents, so you usually can’t use these as a valid proof of address.

Is it time to make your move?

Now you know what documents are needed to rent a house in the UK, make sure you have everything together so your renting process is as smooth as possible. So, start putting those bank statements and utility bills together now, so you don’t panic later.

Looking to rent a fully-serviced property in London, Manchester or Leeds? Browse UNCLE properties to rent and make that big move a reality.