Here’s a simple to-do list, with links to our other guides if you need more information.

There are many costs to consider when renting a home, including: 

• rent
  
• the deposit
  
• bills
  
• moving costs 
  
• buying new furniture or items, and
  
• ongoing living costs, like food and travel.
  

See finding a rented home you can afford for more information.  

You can find homes: 

• on property search sites – like Rightmove, SpareRoom and Zoopla 
• in estate agent windows, and 
• on social networks – like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree.  

If you’re struggling to find a home, see finding a rented home you can afford for help – including how to apply for social housing.  

Never hand over any money or agree to rent a property without seeing it first. This could be a scam and the property might not exist.  
 
Always arrange a viewing and trust your gut – if something doesn’t seem right (such as the property being too cheap) then it’s probably too good to be true. 

If you’re unsure about anything, ask. For example, if you spot damage, ask if it will be fixed before you move in. It’s also worth noting things down or taking photos so you can consider everything when deciding.  

If the viewing went well, the next step is to double check you can afford everything:

• get accurate quotes for bills, and

• redo your budget.

If you’re sure you can afford it, apply for the property. 

When you apply for a rental home, you usually need to provide ID and pass a few checks, such as: 

• a credit check, and

• asking your previous landlord and employer for a reference. 

You might also be asked for a rent guarantor. This is usually someone you know that will legally be responsible to pay your rent if you can’t. See rent guarantors explained for more information.   

All rental fees are banned in Scotland, but in England, Northern Ireland and Wales you might be asked to pay a refundable holding deposit to reserve the property while checks are being made. You can’t be charged upfront fees for anything else.  

In England and Wales, this can be a maximum of one week’s rent.

A tenancy agreement contains all the rules and responsibilities you’ll need to follow, so check it carefully before signing. It’s also worth double checking with your landlord or agent if there’s anything else you might be charged for other than rent, see our tenant’s rights guide for full information.

Tenancy agreements in England will work differently from May 2026.

• Your tenancy will run on a rolling basis (usually monthly), with no end date.

• You can give 2 months’ notice to leave at any point (or less if your landlord agrees). 

• If you signed a tenancy agreement before 1 May 2026, it will automatically change to a rolling agreement on this date.

If there’s anything you’re unsure about, ask your landlord or letting agent. Our blog also explains all the changes being introduced, read What the new 2025 Renters’ Rights Act means for you.

You’ll usually need to pay a deposit before you can move in. If there’s no damage or unpaid rent at the end of your tenancy, you should get it all back. 

There are rules on how much a deposit can be:   

Most new rental agreements require your deposit to be protected in a government-approved protection scheme. This means an independent company holds on to your money instead of your landlord or letting agent.

Your landlord must tell you which protection scheme provider has your money, usually within 35 days of receiving it. 

Once you’ve agreed a move in date, here’s what to do next: 

1. Give notice on your existing place if you’re already renting. You’ll need to leave it in the same condition as you left it (apart from normal wear and tear), so consider if you’d like to arrange cleaners. 
2. Set up a standing order for your rental payment. 
3. If moving in with others, decide who’ll be responsible for bills or buying certain items – see Renting with a partner or housemates. 
4. Shop around to find the best deal for your bills (unless you have a ‘bills included’ contract), such as: 
   1. internet
   2. gas and/or electricity 
   3. contents insurance
5. Set up accounts with providers you can’t usually change, like: 
   1. Council Tax or Rates 
   2. water 
   3. TV Licence 
6. Buy anything you’ll need from day one, such as: 
   1. furniture  
   2. kitchen items 
7. Consider setting up a postal redirect for your mail and registering to vote. 

Here’s a list of moving day essentials: 

1. Collect the keys or meet at the property. 
2. Carefully check the inventory (the list of included items and existing damage) against the property to make sure:
   1. everything listed is present and correct 
   2. the heating, plumbing and appliances are working, including smoke alarms 
   3. any damage is noted
   4. any included parking permit has been provided 
3. Flag any issues and ask for the inventory to be updated before signing.
4. Take your own photos while the property is still empty. 
5. Ask to be shown: 
   1. where the stopcock is (the control to turn off the water in an emergency) 
   2. where the electricity and/or gas meters are 
6. Take photos of the meters. You’ll need to provide opening meter reads to your energy provider so you’re only charged for the amount you use. 
7. Safely store any paperwork you’ve been given, like your tenancy agreement, gas safety and energy performance certificate. 

Here’s a moving out checklist:

1. Agree a moving out date with your landlord or letting agent – the amount of notice you’ll need to give should be listed in your tenancy agreement.
2. Contact your bill providers – you might have to give them notice if you’re in a contract. 
3. Arrange moving services – like removals, van hire and cleaners. 
4. Once you’ve moved your belongings out, take photos – including final meter reads.
5. After your final inspection, hand your keys back.
6. Ask for your deposit back. If any damage was noted at the final inspection, or items from the inventory were missing or broken, your landlord or letting agent might ask to keep some of the money. If you don’t agree, see problems getting your deposit back. 
7. Cancel remaining bills and provide final meter readings.
8. Cancel the standing order for your old rent.

When the Renters’ Rights Act takes effect from 1 May 2026, tenants in England will be able to give 2 months' notice to leave at any point, unless you and your landlord have agreed a shorter notice period.

This will apply to all tenancies, regardless of what your original tenancy agreement says.

The process is different if you’ve been asked to leave, for example checking if the eviction notice is valid. See Help with eviction for full step-by-step help.

From 1 May 2026, landlords can no longer evict you without giving a reason. This ends Section 21 'no-fault' evictions in England.

Your landlord will need to give you a valid reason (called a 'ground') if they want you to leave. 

Valid reasons include:

• they plan to sell the property  

• they want to move in themselves (or a close family member)

• there are serious breaches of your tenancy agreement, such as rent arrears.

Your landlord must give you the reason in writing, with evidence to back it up. They'll do this by giving you a Section 8 notice.

Notice periods vary depending on the reason but are generally longer than the current 2 months given with a Section 21 notice. 

The last date landlords can issue a Section 21 notice is 30 April 2026, and they have until 31 July to start court proceedings. 

If you receive an eviction notice, check the dates carefully. Make sure you understand the reason your landlord has given, and if you're not sure the eviction is valid, get advice early. Act quickly as you may have a limited time to challenge it.