question to British people

[Deleted member 1132725]

The issue and problem is with renting an apartment.

As far as i know and read from google, they want to run credit checks, but as a foreigner from EU you dont have any local bank accounts (as you can create one when you have proof of address which im trying to rent) So alternative is to pay 6 months to 1 year rent upfront, thats what i have heard..

So how this actually can happen? For example the rent is 1000£ x 6 months 6000£ I will pay them in cash and they just sign the papers, or there is something else that i need to consider..

I know its a pain in the ass to rent as foreigner so looking some tips how to get the proof of address quickly sorted out, also without having any references.. There has to be a way to do it.


All answers much appreciated.

 

[social engineer]

Right,

If your an EU citizen then it shouldn't be too hard.

You basically have to show you are who you are and you have the right to reside in the UK.

This should be easy (for now) if you are an EU citizen as all you will need to show is a EU passport.
As for the credit checks. Most countrys in the world have credit checking agencys
If you show the letting agent 1 or 2 forms of photo ID (Passport, Driving licence, etc) and some utility bills from the country your currently residing in(which shows your name and address) and also your bank account details most letting agents will be able to do a help you.

 

[djw1606]

Yeah, it is not easy. They all request references. One way might be to try to move into shared housing for 6 to 12 months to begin with. Then you will be able to get a reference from that landlord. I have had a place in London without a reference but that was down to luck more than anything.

What I would say is that you are not the first foreigner facing this problem, so try to ask other people how they got around it. If you are willing to pay everything up front, then you should be ok anyway. Go and speak to some of the smaller letting agents. They will be the ones who know landlords willing to rent without references.

Good luck

 

[Society Girl]

You could always rent privately and cut all of it out. Look at gumtree.com or something.

 

[MisterF]

If you have no bank account, no references best way is to offer a 6 months rental as deposit, then pay on time every month without fail.
Get a receipt for the deposit, if you are paying cash get a receipt but even better is pay cash into the landlords bank account each month, so you have prrof.

There are plenty rogue landlords out there, so don't just rush into this.

 

[mrchowchow]

From what i have learnt - companies that are advertising and playing the agent role will do the necessary checks but if you go find a property that is on the market privately i.e the owner of the property advertising then they only require usually require only a deposit and a written agreement.

 

[Deleted member 1132725]

Yes i planned to look something from gumtree and im aware of the property scams out there, so i try to proceed with caution.

I guess the best move would be to stay in a Hotel until i can get this sorted out and pay upfront.

 

[Deleted member 720373]

You could always rent privately and cut all of it out. Look at gumtree.com or something.

Just be aware of any possible scammers on gumtree.

Do not send any deposit before seeing the property. A friend of mine was scammed this way. They sent pictures of a very nice looking house then asked for a "holding deposit" because they had to travel to the area to show them the house and had been let down before!

They never saw that money again!