Applying for a rental property and moving in
Tell the agent you would like to proceed or complete the form that we will send you for viewing feedback one hour after your viewing.
Provide the information requested about the proposed occupants, income, move date and any special circumstances. If the landlord wishes to proceed, you may be asked for a holding deposit while referencing is completed.
No. Since 1 May 2026, landlords and letting agents in England must advertise an asking rent and cannot invite or accept rental bids above that figure.
The landlord can choose between suitable applicants using lawful criteria such as affordability, references, move date and overall circumstances. They cannot discriminate because an applicant has children, receives benefits or on other prohibited grounds.
Not absolutely. It normally means the property is being reserved while the application is progressed, but the tenancy may still fail for legitimate reasons such as unsuccessful referencing or inaccurate information. Statutory rules determine what happens to the holding deposit in each circumstance.
Ask why. Some issues can be resolved with additional evidence or, where appropriate, a guarantor. A failed reference does not automatically mean you can never rent the property, but the landlord must be satisfied that the tenancy is suitable and affordable.
Before you rent a home as your main residence in England, the landlord or agent must check that relevant adult occupiers have the legal right to rent. British and Irish citizens and people with other qualifying immigration status can demonstrate this using the prescribed methods.
Read the whole agreement carefully, including the rent, payment date, tenant names, permitted occupiers, responsibilities and any special conditions. Ask about anything you do not understand before signing. Since May 2026, most private assured tenancies are periodic rather than fixed-term.
It is the main form of private assured tenancy in England from 1 May 2026. It runs on a rolling basis, usually monthly, without a fixed end date. It continues until you end it, you and the landlord agree to end it, or the landlord lawfully obtains possession.
Where the statutory tenancy-deposit rules apply, it must be protected through a government-approved scheme. If you rent through Ashtons, you will receive the required information explaining which scheme is being used and how the deposit will be dealt with.
It records the property's condition and contents when you move in and is the main reference point at check-out. Read it carefully, report inaccuracies promptly and keep your own photographs of anything important. This can prevent disagreements later.
Usually once the tenancy agreement has been signed, required checks are complete and the payments lawfully due at that stage have cleared. Your agent will confirm the handover arrangements and the exact start time of the tenancy.
