Private rental

Looking for some advice about private rentals
I’m a full time student in England. I also work part time during term time and more hours during holidays
I’m looking at getting a privately rented flat next year, not from student halls providers, as I will need it all year round to work in the city
I’m worried about one thing though - showing my income? I can definitely afford what im looking at
I saw something earlier saying to get approved for a £900pcm rental you have to be making over £33k a year?🥴 I’ve been paying £1200pcm for my current flat which is at student halls so they don’t ask for proof of income, I get 10.3k student loan, plus make around £7.7k a year from my job so I get about 18k a year in total.
Can anyone advise me on this? I’m worried I’ll be denied when I can definitely afford the rent

Reply 1

Ashley Shen

Original post by vsepr902

Hello,
Firstly, different landlords or letting agents may have varying income requirements for tenants. The example you mentioned, "£900 per square metre, with an annual income requirement of over £33,000," is just one case and may not apply universally. Some smaller, private landlords might be more flexible, as they often value a tenant's stability more than strict income criteria. Before you start looking for a place, contacting a few landlords to ask about their specific requirements is a good idea. This way, you can prepare the necessary documents more effectively. When speaking to landlords, be honest about your income situation while also highlighting your stability and sense of responsibility. You could also contact letting agents; for instance, uhomes is quite good. They are very professional in renting and don't charge agency fees for their exclusive or partnered properties.
Regarding proof of income, provide your part-time work contract, payslips, or a reference from your employer to demonstrate your income sources. If possible, show records of your income over the past few months to illustrate its consistency. If you have other sources of income (such as student loans, scholarships, or family support), you may also provide relevant proof. If your income doesn't quite meet the landlord's or agent's requirements, you could consider finding a guarantor, such as a parent or another relative with a stable income who agrees to cover the rent if you are unable to pay.