Every rule below changed on 1 May 2026. Most pages you will find still quote the old ones.
1How much do I actually need upfront?
A tenancy deposit is capped at five weeks of rent (six weeks where the annual rent is £50,000 or more). For a £2,000 flat that is £2,307.69, plus the first month, so about £4,308 in hand. Since 1 May 2026 a landlord cannot demand more than one month in advance, so this is the legal ceiling, not an opening offer.
2Can I rent with no UK credit history?
Yes, but the old trick is gone. Paying six months upfront to compensate is no longer allowed, so the usual route is now a UK guarantor or a referencing service. If you are moving from abroad, sort this before you start viewings, not after you find the flat.
3What is Right to Rent?
A check the landlord must run before you move in. You prove your status with a share code from the Home Office site, or with original documents. The choice is yours and a landlord cannot refuse you for picking either. Minutes of work, and the single most common reason a move slips by a week.
4Which documents will they ask for?
Passport, visa or share code, proof of income, and a previous landlord reference. If you have none of these yet because you are still abroad, say so on the first call. There are standard workarounds, and they are far easier to arrange before you land.
5Can I bring my dog?
Since 1 May 2026 you have the right to request a pet, and the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse. They must answer in writing within 28 days. No pet deposit, no pet rent, no pet insurance: damage is covered by your normal deposit. Mansion blocks can still have their own rules in the lease, so ask before you view.