The renting guide

1 · Be ready before you view

Good rentals move in days. Have your documents ready before you start viewing: photo ID, proof of income (3 months' payslips or accounts), previous landlord contact, and your deposit accessible. As a rule of thumb, referencing looks for annual income of about 30 times the monthly rent.

• Photo ID and right-to-rent documents
• 3 months' payslips or 2 years' accounts
• Previous landlord reference contact
• Deposit + first month's rent accessible

2 · Know what you cannot be charged

Under the Tenant Fees Act, agents can only charge rent, a refundable tenancy deposit (capped at five weeks' rent for most tenancies), a capped holding deposit, and specific default fees. Application fees, referencing fees and renewal fees to tenants are banned.

3 · Move-in day, done properly

Check the inventory carefully and photograph anything it missed within the first week — it protects your deposit at the end. Confirm your deposit is protected in a government scheme; you must receive the prescribed information within 30 days.

4 · During the tenancy

Report repairs in writing as soon as they appear; small leaks become big invoices. The landlord must give at least 24 hours' written notice for visits. Pay on time, flag problems early, and a good landlord will move mountains to keep you.