Letting agents for international tenants & new arrivals

Finding a UK rental without a UK credit history, guarantor or initial references is one of the most common early challenges for new arrivals. These letting agents regularly work with international tenants and understand how to navigate referencing for people new to the country.

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Rental Agencies providers

Every provider below has been reviewed by our editorial team before listing.

2 providers listed

Premium Letting Agency
Knight Frank

Knight Frank's lettings division operates across London and major UK cities, with a dedicated team experienced in corporate and international lets. For senior professionals and corporate relocations, Knight Frank manages premium rental properties and handles all referencing in-house — including for overseas income and non-standard employment histories.

Corporate & InternationalLondon & UK-widePremium PropertiesManaged Lettings
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Nationwide Letting Agent
Your Move

One of the UK's largest letting agency chains with branches across England, Scotland and Wales. Your Move operates a fully managed service that includes tenant referencing, deposit protection and maintenance — making it a practical option for landlords and tenants seeking consistent process across different parts of the country.

UK-wide BranchesFully ManagedDeposit ProtectionTransparent Fees
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All agency links on this page are direct editorial links. Moving to the UK does not earn a commission on these referrals. They are listed based on their experience with international tenants.

Renting in the UK as a new arrival: what you need to know

The UK private rental market operates quickly and competitively. In most major cities, well-priced properties in desirable areas receive multiple enquiries within hours of listing. This presents a particular challenge for new arrivals, who may still be travelling when properties become available and can't always attend in-person viewings at short notice.

Letting agents are legally required to perform 'Right to Rent' checks before accepting any tenant, confirming that the applicant has the legal right to reside in the UK. For visa holders, this means presenting your passport and visa documentation (or eVisa share code) before signing a tenancy agreement. This requirement cannot be waived.

Most referencing processes check your income (typically requiring 2.5–3x annual rent), employment status, previous landlord references and credit history. For new arrivals without a UK credit history, many landlords will accept a larger advance payment — typically 3–6 months' rent upfront — in lieu of a UK guarantor. Some specialist agencies have established routes for international professional tenants that avoid the need for a guarantor entirely.

All tenancy deposits must be held in a government-approved deposit protection scheme (DPS, My Deposits or TDS). Your landlord or agent must provide evidence of this within 30 days of the tenancy starting — if they cannot, you have legal recourse.

CategoryHousing
Sub-categoryRental Agencies
UK regulatorProperty Ombudsman / ARLA
Right to RentRequired before signing
Directory statusAccepting applications
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Common questions

Rental Agencies — FAQs

Yes, but your options are more limited. Many landlords will accept 3–6 months' rent paid upfront in lieu of a guarantor or credit history. Some specialist letting agents have established processes for international professional tenants. Providing strong employer references, a formal employment contract and documentation of your income significantly improves your position.
Right to Rent is a legal requirement under the Immigration Act 2014. Before signing any tenancy agreement, your landlord or agent must check that you have the legal right to reside in the UK. For visa holders, this means presenting your passport and visa, or providing a Right to Rent share code generated via the Home Office website. This check cannot be waived — any tenancy started without it is legally problematic for the landlord.
Most UK letting agents and landlords require your annual income to be at least 2.5–3 times the annual rent. For a property renting at £1,500 per month (£18,000 per year), you would typically need to earn £45,000–£54,000 per year. For dual-income households, both incomes can usually be combined. If you are self-employed or have overseas income, referencing is more nuanced — a specialist agent can advise on the best approach.
Your landlord can charge a tenancy deposit of up to 5 weeks' rent (for annual rents under £50,000). This must be placed in a government-approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days of the start of your tenancy. The three approved schemes are the Deposit Protection Service (DPS), My Deposits and the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). You must receive the deposit protection certificate — ask for it if not provided.
From finding a property you want to moving in, the process typically takes 2–4 weeks — assuming referencing is straightforward. Delays are common when referencing involves overseas income, non-standard employment or unusual documentation. Building in extra time at your hotel or serviced apartment is strongly recommended, as referencing can take longer than expected for new arrivals.
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