Housing services for your move to the UK

Finding a place to live is the most immediate practical challenge when you arrive. Whether you need short-term accommodation on landing, a long-term rental, or are looking to buy, this directory covers providers with real experience supporting people relocating from abroad. Every listing is checked before it goes live, and the directory is always free to use.

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2026
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Housing

Find somewhere to live in the UK

From a hotel on arrival to a long-term rental or a mortgage, each area below has its own checked list of providers and guidance on how it works for new arrivals.

Hotels

Hotels for your first nights in the UK while you find somewhere permanent — from budget chains to longer-stay options near where you are headed.

On Arrival Short Stay UK-Wide
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Mortgage Advisors

Brokers and advisers who arrange home loans, including specialists who understand the extra hurdles new arrivals face when buying in the UK.

Home Loans Expat Mortgages Brokers
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Online Housing Portals

The property websites where most UK homes to rent or buy are listed — search by area, set alerts and compare before you arrive.

Property Search Alerts Rent & Buy
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Real Estate Agencies

Estate agents handling property sales and lettings, including firms experienced with international buyers and relocating professionals.

Sales & Lettings Viewings Local Expertise
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Rental Agencies

Letting agents who match you to rental homes and manage tenancies, referencing and deposits — the most common route for new arrivals.

Lettings Referencing Tenancy Support
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Short-term & Serviced Apartments

Furnished, flexible apartments for stays of weeks or months — a comfortable middle ground between a hotel and signing a long lease.

Furnished Flexible Stays Relocation
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Featured providers

Highlighted across Housing

A handful of well-regarded providers from across the Housing categories, each reviewed by our editorial team before listing.

Top Pick
RentaRoof

An online lettings service that connects tenants directly with rental homes across the UK, cutting out much of the traditional agency admin. A practical starting point for finding a place to rent after a move.

Lettings Online UK-Wide
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Top Pick
Radisson Hotels

A global hotel group with properties across UK cities — a reliable option for your first nights on arrival or a longer stay while you search for somewhere permanent.

On Arrival City Locations Longer Stays
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Top Pick
Quick Mortgages

A mortgage brokerage that arranges home loans and remortgages, including for buyers who are newer to the UK and building a credit history. Helpful when you are ready to buy rather than rent.

Home Loans Remortgages Expat-Friendly
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Other providers
Knight Frank

A long-established estate agency with a strong international presence, handling sales and lettings across the prime and wider UK market — useful for buyers and renters relocating from abroad.

Sales & Lettings International Prime Market
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Locke

Design-led aparthotels in major UK cities offering furnished apartments with hotel-style service — a comfortable option for stays of weeks or months while you settle.

Aparthotels Furnished Flexible Stays
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Some links in this section are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase — at no extra cost to you. Provider information is provided for general guidance only. Always verify details, pricing and suitability directly with the provider before making any booking or purchase. Our editorial recommendations are made independently.

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Questions & answers

Common questions about housing in the UK

Practical answers on renting, buying, deposits, references and finding somewhere to live as a new arrival.

Yes, though it can be harder. Landlords and letting agents usually run referencing checks that look at income and credit history, which new arrivals often cannot satisfy yet. Common ways around this are paying several months’ rent in advance, providing a UK-based guarantor, or using a guarantor service. Being upfront about your situation and having proof of funds ready makes the process smoother.
For most assured shorthold tenancies in England, the deposit is capped at five weeks’ rent where the annual rent is under £50,000. The deposit must by law be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme, and you should receive the scheme details within 30 days. You will usually also pay the first month’s rent in advance before moving in.
A guarantor is someone who agrees to cover your rent if you cannot pay. Letting agents often ask new arrivals for a UK-based guarantor, typically a homeowner, because you may not yet have UK income or credit history. If you do not have someone who can act as guarantor, paying rent in advance or using a paid guarantor service are common alternatives.
Most people relocating from abroad rent first. It gives you time to get to know areas, build a UK credit history and arrange a mortgage, which is difficult to secure immediately on arrival. Renting also lets you confirm a job or commute works before committing to a purchase. Buying tends to make sense once you are settled and your circumstances are stable.
Yes, although the options depend on your residency status, visa, deposit size and how long you have been in the UK. Some high-street lenders are cautious with applicants who are newer to the country, while specialist lenders and brokers cater specifically to expats and those without long UK credit histories. A mortgage adviser can identify which lenders are likely to consider your circumstances.
Most UK properties are advertised on a handful of large online property portals, where you can filter by area, price and type, and set alerts. Letting and estate agents also list directly and sometimes have properties before they reach the portals. Starting your search online before you arrive helps you understand prices and areas, even if you view in person later.
A letting agent deals with rental properties, managing tenancies, referencing and deposits on behalf of landlords. An estate agent primarily handles sales, marketing properties for owners and arranging viewings for buyers. Many firms do both. If you are renting, you will mostly deal with letting agents; if you are buying, with estate agents.
They can be ideal for the first few weeks or months. A serviced apartment or aparthotel is furnished and ready to live in, with flexible booking and no long lease, which suits the period while you search for a permanent home. They cost more per night than a long-term rental, but avoid the upfront commitment and let you settle without rushing the decision.
Once you have found somewhere and passed referencing, it can move quickly — sometimes a week or two. The referencing and paperwork stage is usually the longest part, especially for new arrivals who need to arrange a guarantor or advance rent. Having your documents, proof of funds and references organised in advance is the best way to avoid delays.
Yes. Browsing the Housing directory and its listings is completely free. Some provider links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you sign up or purchase at no extra cost to you, and some providers may pay a listing fee — but neither affects who appears or how we describe them. Our recommendations are made independently.
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This page was last updated on 2 June 2026.