Whilst it’s exciting, moving house can be a stressful experience. There’s so much to think about – where do you want to live? What kind of property do you want? How many rooms do you require? What is your monthly budget?
Here at Aspire to Move, we want to make the rental experience as quick and as smooth as possible. One of the things we can help you with is ensuring that you have all the necessary documentation required to rent a property.
What documents do you need to rent a property?
There are several different documents that you will need to provide your landlord or letting agent in order to be in the running for the property. The rental market is moving quicker than ever, so we have provided this nifty guide to ensure you have all the documents that you need.
Employment reference and income status
In order to rent a property, the landlord/ letting agency needs to ensure that you have the means to pay the agreed monthly rent.
If you have a full-time job, you will need to obtain a reference from your employer. This reference will verify your employment status within the organisation and ensure consistency with the information you initially provided. The reference will also include additional details regarding your income and will provide valuable insights into your character and the type of person you are.
As well as your employee reference, you will also have to provide documents showing your employment status and income. These are required to prove that you can afford the rent on the property. Typically, these documents will be 3 – 6 of your most recent payslips. Alternatively, you have the option to provide either your employment contract or a letter from your employer, as long as these documents contain the necessary and relevant information.
If you’re self-employed, it becomes a bit trickier. You may be required to demonstrate your earnings over a longer period, typically ranging from 1 to 3 years. To substantiate your income, you can provide supporting documents such as bank statements, trading records, or tax returns.
If you use an accountant, it might also be required to provide their contact information. This enables the letting agent to obtain a reference from the accountant regarding your financial affairs.
Right to Rent documents
In the UK, Right to Rent is a legal requirement and all landlords need to verify a tenant’s eligibility to live in the country. To fulfil this requirement, you will be asked to provide documentation that confirms your identity and current address.
Acceptable forms of documentation include a passport, driving licence, or a utility bill. If you are relocating to the UK from another country, you will be required to present a copy of your visa, clearly indicating your permission to live and work in the UK.
Unfortunately, failure to provide the necessary documents to prove your right to rent will prevent you from moving into the property.
Credit checks
When renting a property, the landlord or letting agency will typically conduct a credit check to evaluate your credit score. This assessment provides them with insights into your credit history, enabling them to gauge your reliability in making rent payments. Your credit score is determined by various financial factors and can be adversely affected by missed payments, unpaid loans, and account defaults.
Although there isn’t a specific document you need to provide that states your credit score, it is crucial to have this information before applying for a rental property. Even with a lower credit score, you may still have options to secure the rental property, such as paying rent in advance or having a guarantor co-sign your tenancy agreement. If you can’t pay your rent, a guarantor would step in and fulfil the rental payment obligations on your behalf.
It’s important to be aware that the landlord or letting agent cannot conduct a credit check without your consent, and they are prohibited from charging any fees for this service.
The demand for rental properties is high, and when an appealing house or flat becomes available, numerous prospective tenants may express interest in it. Therefore, time is a critical factor in the house-hunting process.
By organising all the necessary paperwork ahead of time, you can promptly provide the necessary documents as soon as you find the perfect place. This may give you an advantage over other tenants who require additional time to gather their documents, particularly if the landlord is eager to finalise the rental process swiftly.
How we can help
Looking to find your perfect home in Bath or Bristol? Aspire to Move are here to help. We won the gold award for Best British Letting Agent at the British Property Awards 2022-2023.
We take pride in our focus on customer service and ability to provide the best possible advice which is why we ensure that our team are all fully qualified and up to date with the latest legislation.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
