gotoronto

Does it matter which county you are on the electoral roll on? I am sure we are still on it in the county we lived in before!

Put down an offer on a flat today and the estate agent claimed we did not need 6 months rent. I am not convinced it is right - but we shall see!

We also saw a dump today where the landlord would have been happy with 1 months deposit and 1 months rent despite unemployment - but we were not convinced that we would want to love there.

northernbird

Yes it matters. It very much depends on the agent as to the rent thing. We had to pay 6 months up front when we moved back from Canada and as I said previously I couldn't get a mobile phone contract. I was livid as we had kept bank accounts and credit cards in order during our absence. The phone company told me to speak to Experien which I did and they explained that you could have the best credit history in the world but it wouldn't make a jot of difference if you weren't on the electoral register in the UK.

Emma M

ok, I'm probably going to get my head bitten off over this one.... but.
If you move back to the UK and have nowhere to go, you have had absolutely no choice but to come back and you are a UK citizen, on your own, without a pot to pee in, shall we say... then you can go and get a crisis loan from the DSS for a deposit, claim JSA if you intend to look for work, and along with that claim housing benefit and council tax benefit and there you go.
I'm not suggesting that anyone do this, but it is an option. It is do-able. Just thought I would throw it into the discussion.

Tootsie Frickensprinkles

Yes, if they use an agency - a credit report will all go towards a final decision.

cherry6

Im not going to bite your head off lol, but would like to comment that looking for a rental and mentioning you are on housing benefit is like mentioning you have the plague. If you arent fussy over rentals you might find something, but a relative on mine who is on housing benefit has massive problems finding a decent house, the estate agent admitted housing benefit has very bad press amongst agents. However, what you mention is do-able for those who have no other options for sure.
I have moved back to the UK 3 times previously and had no problems with finding rentals, but we have always used relatives or holiday accomm for the first few weeks whilst my OH found a job (any job to start with) and then once we had proof of income we started applying for houses.
I do think it does depend on where you look, someone say in London might be more likely to be asked for 6 months up front that someone say looking for property in Norfolk.

Emma M

Well I find that if you're in a desperate situation, and money is tight, estate agents are not the best places to be looking for rentals. They will charge their own fees on top of your deposit and months of rent upfront. The local council offices of your hometown will have telephone numbers of landlords in the area who do take housing benefit. No one needs to feel like a social leper for accepting help. Also, look in the local paper. There are many options available.
On occasion, just finding a place to live is more important than having a nice garden, a garage and a spectacular view.
A lot of people fall flat on their faces when they are abroad and have to get home or face homelessness. When they get here, if they need help, there's tons available.

cornishvellan

I've just moved back to the UK-Kent area-and had no problems finding a place to rent at all (neither me or hubby has a job yet). I found the house on the Pet Friendly website and contacted the owner. I paid one months rent + 1 rent deposit and the owner said that it would start from the moment I set foot in the property.

Have a look on gumtree, you might find something there without having to go through greedy estate agents...

backagen

Some really useful advice there I think. Thanks.