Renting a house or a flat in the UK – how much does it cost?

Looking to rent a home in the UK? Perhaps you’re moving to the UK from abroad, or moving between UK cities. You might even be renting your first ever property after leaving university or moving out of your parent’s home.

One of the first things you’ll want to know as you start your property search is how much it costs. We’ll cover everything you need to know here in this guide, including the average cost to rent in major UK cities.

We’ll also run through the process of renting a property in the UK, and a few places to start your search.

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How to rent a house or a flat in the UK?

So, how does renting a property work in the UK? We’ve put together a list of the key steps involved, so you have a better idea of what to expect.

1. Make sure your finances are in order. You’ll need to make sure that you have enough money to cover the deposit and the first month’s rent.
2. Make sure your documents are in order. You’ll need proof of identity, immigration status, employment status and credit history, along with other documents. It’s a good idea to have these ready before you start your search, so you can act fast when you find the right property.
3. Find a house or flat to rent. Start your search using one of the resources we’ve listed later in this guide. Contact the letting agent to arrange a viewing appointment. You’ll need to be quick, as competition for properties can be fierce.
4. Apply to rent the property. If successful, you’ll need to confirm the tenancy length, rent and deposit amount. You’ll also agree on a start date for the tenancy.
5. Check and sign the paperwork. This will include the Tenancy Agreement, inventory of fixtures, fitting and furniture and other documents.
6. Pay your deposit and first month’s rent, unless another arrangement has been agreed.
7. Pick up the keys and move in.

What are the requirements for renting in the UK?

To rent a property in the UK, you’ll need to be over the age of 18 and prove that you have the legal right to live and rent in the UK. This means providing documents and paperwork such as:¹

• Your passport or driving licence
• Proof of address, such as a recent utility bill
• Visa or other immigration status document
• Proof of income or employment status (if required).

If, for example, you’re moving to the UK from India or from other countries, take care to have most of the documents sorted before arriving.

Where to find rental properties?

There are a few different ways you can find property to rent in the UK.

You can approach lettings agents in the area in which you’d like to rent. They’ll register your details, including your budget and what kind of property you’re looking for. And if something suitable comes onto the market, they can contact you.

However, as the rental market in the UK is so competitive, you might need to take a more proactive approach. This means searching for rental property yourself, and contacting the agent or landlord immediately to express interest and arrange a viewing.

The good news is that most of your search can be done online. Here are some of the popular UK rental property websites to try:

• RightMove
• Zoopla
• OpenRent
• SpareRoom
• Your Move
• PrimeLocation
• OnTheMarket
• Savills
• Gumtree

On most of these sites, you’ll be able to narrow down your search by entering your requirements. For example, the location, number of bedrooms, your budget and type of property. You can even filter by properties which have private parking or access to outdoor space.

On websites like Gumtree, you can find property for rent advertised by private landlords. Just be careful when responding to these adverts, especially before handing over any money. There’s a risk of rental scams and fraud on these sites, so it’s worth taking extra precautions if you’re finding property through this route.

How much does it cost to rent a house or a flat in the UK?

Now we come to the most important question on your mind - how much does UK rental property cost?

Just like other kinds of living costs in the UK, it varies depending on a few factors. Primarily, where in the UK you plan to rent. Some regions are more expensive than others, such as London for example.

Alongside the monthly rent, there are other costs involved with renting a property. Here’s an outline of what you can expect:²

• Holding deposit. This is a refundable fee to reserve a property, and effectively take it off the market so that no one else can snap it up. This fee varies (and some letting agents and landlords don’t charge one) but it’s usually the equivalent of one week’s rent.
• Security deposit. This is to cover any damage or defaults on the rent during your tenancy. It’ll be protected by a security deposit protection scheme, and you should get it back after the tenancy ends. The deposit should be no more than 5 weeks rent, although it can be up to 6 weeks rent for properties with a total rent of over £50,000 a year.
• Rent in advance. You’ll usually pay your first month’s rent in advance of starting the tenancy.

When choosing a house or flat to rent, you’ll also need to factor in the monthly running costs. This includes bills, such as water, gas and electricity, council tax, internet and other regular costs.

Importantly, you shouldn’t be charged any fees by the letting agent or landlord. Since June 2019, most of the fees associated with renting property have been banned in the UK.¹

It’s also crucial to ensure that any payments you make are safe, especially if you’re sending money from abroad. So, you may need to look into using a travel-friendly or international account, one with modern security protections in place.

Wise offers extra secure transfers from wherever you are in the world with the Wise account, using measures such as two-factor authentication. Wise has a 24/7 security operations and a dedicated fraud prevention team on hand to protect your money, and are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.

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What’s the average cost of rent in different UK cities?

As we’ve mentioned, the cost of rent varies considerably in different regions of the UK. You can expect London to have very high rental prices, while cities like Liverpool, Cardiff and Glasgow are much more affordable.

To give you a better idea of how much you’ll be paying in rent to live in the UK, it’s time to look at some figures. Here’s a rundown of the average monthly rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in the centre of 10 of the UK’s biggest cities:³

Can I negotiate the rent price with the landlord?

In theory, yes - you can try to negotiate the rental price with the landlord or letting agent. This could make your monthly rent cheaper, and save you money over the course of the tenancy.

But whether or not you’ll be successful depends on a few important factors. For example, how much demand there is for rental property in the local area, or for the property in question. If a landlord has dozens of other potential tenants queuing up, they’ll be less likely to engage in negotiations on the price.

However, if the property has significant flaws or you’re able to commit to a longer-than-average lease, you may be in a stronger bargaining position. There’s usually no harm in trying, but be prepared to accept the listed rental price if you don’t get the answer you’re hoping for - if you can afford it, of course.

And that’s pretty much it - all the essentials you need to know about how much it costs to rent a house or flat in the UK.

We’ve covered the steps involved in renting a property, and a few places to start your search. Plus, the documents you’ll need to successfully apply for a property, and a look at the average cost of rent in different UK cities. So, you should be ready to set a budget and start searching for a place to rent.

Renters in the UK face a competitive market right now. So if you want to secure your dream home, you’ll need to act fast and be fully prepared with all your paperwork. Otherwise, you could lose out to another, keener tenant.

And, consider checking out the Wise account to manage your money securely in the UK and abroad, with transparent fees* and the mid-market exchange rate. You can also get a Wise card that works in 150+ countries around the world, including the UK.

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Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 08-Mar-2023