Never view a property alone.
Go with your group or someone you trust. More eyes spot more — and you’re safer together.
Renting in England
BeSafe.
Check the place. Check the person. Check the paperwork.
If it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Stop and check before you pay or sign.
The placeNever view alone.
The personKnow who you’re dealing with.
The paperworkRead it before you agree.
01 / Before you pay or sign
Slow down. Check it properly.
A good house can still come with bad paperwork. Take the pressure out of it and work through these checks together.
Citizens Advice ↗
Know who you’re dealing with.
Check a letting agent belongs to an approved redress scheme. With a private landlord, meet them and make sure their name matches the agreement.
Know what stays.
“Furnished” may mean the basics — not everything you can see. Some items may belong to the current tenants. Ask exactly what’s included and get it in writing before you sign.
Inventory.
This is your baseline when you move out. Get it at the start, check every room, photograph existing marks or damage, and correct mistakes in writing. If there isn’t one, make your own dated record and send it to the agent or landlord.
If you disagree with a deposit deduction, challenge it through your deposit protection scheme’s free dispute-resolution service. This is where your inventory and photos matter.
Know what the money is for.
A holding deposit can be up to one week’s rent. Get the amount and refund terms in writing. Never send money just because someone is rushing you.
Read the agreement.
Most private student lets in England are now assured periodic tenancies. Check the rent, bills, notice and house rules. Ask for help before signing if anything is unclear.
Check the deposit is protected.
Your landlord must use an approved protection scheme and give you the required information within 30 days.
02 / Red flags
Something feels off? Stop.
You do not owe anyone a quick decision. A genuine agent or landlord should be able to answer ordinary questions without turning up the pressure.
Too perfect
Great house. Strange price.
Compare it with similar homes nearby. Check where else it is listed and whether the photos, address and contact details line up.
Pay now
“Send it today or lose it.”
Pressure is not proof. Stop, check what the payment is for and make sure the property and the person are real before money leaves your account.
Wrong details
The names don’t match.
The name on the agreement, the payment details and the person you met should make sense together. If they do not, ask why and verify it independently.
No paper trail
Everything happens in disappearing messages.
Keep the advert, agreement, receipts and important replies. Do not rely on a promise you cannot find again later.
03 / Legitimate checks
What’s normal. What isn’t.
Some checks are part of renting in England. Knowing what to expect makes it easier to spot a request that does not belong.
Right to Rent
They may check and copy your documents.
Adult tenants in England need a Right to Rent check. You may use a share code or eligible documents. A manual check involves a copy being kept securely. Nobody should keep your original passport as security.
How the check works ↗The property
Ask for the safety paperwork.
Check the EPC, the gas safety record if the home has gas, and the electrical safety report. The property should also have the required smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Landlord responsibilities ↗New to renting here
Ask before you guess.
If the process is unfamiliar, do not let that rush you. Your university, Citizens Advice and Shelter can help you understand checks, guarantors, deposits and agreements.
Find help below ↓04 / Maison and your group
Maison helps. You still check.
Choosing together gives everyone a clearer view of what is happening. It does not replace the checks you make before renting.
Maison helps your group
Keep everyone in the picture.
- Choose a home together.
- Send one clear group enquiry.
- See the same agent replies.
- Block, report or leave when something is not right.
Your group still checks
Know what you’re agreeing to.
- View the property.
- Verify the agent or landlord.
- Read the agreement and safety documents.
- Understand every payment before sending it.
05 / Pause or ask for help
Not sure? Don’t pay yet.
If the group cannot tick these off together, pause. It is easier to ask another question now than untangle a problem later.
✓We have seen the property and checked its condition.
✓We know who the agent or landlord is.
✓We understand the rent, deposit, bills and every other payment.
✓We have read the agreement and asked about anything unclear.
✓We have copies of the advert, paperwork, receipts and important replies.