Are you ready to rent?
As well as the advice on this page, you can also look at UK Government advice sheet about renting property in the UK
What will it cost?
The rent a landlord charges depends on the size, condition and location of the accommodation, just like in Ukraine. At the moment, a 1 bedroom apartment (meaning that the bedroom is separate to the kitchen/living space) in our area costs approximately £750 per month, a 3 bedroom apartment is approx £1150.
You also have to pay 5 weeks' rent as deposit, and you will be responsible for certain bills. These may include Council Tax, internet, electricity, gas and water. On top of that you'll also have other living costs such as food and transport.
There are certain discounts available depending on your circumstances, for example if you are the only adult in the house, you get 25% discount on your council tax. You may also be eligible for Local Housing Allowance if you claim Universal Credit but it is much easier to rent if you have a salary.
As a guide, if you are working/not claiming UC, you might need £2500-£3500 to cover all the costs of your first month (including deposit) and £1500-£2100 per month after that. We have created a spreadsheet with estimated costs to help you - you can replace the estimates with more accurate numbers of your own if you have them.
What else will I need?
You might hear about the 'Affordability check'. This which means proving your annual salary is at least 30 times your monthly rent. To do this you will need bank statements, payslips and/or your employment contract. Note - 'zero hours contracts' are not accepted for this check. *However - it is understandable that guests from Ukraine may not pass this test. So far, landlords in our area have been very understanding and it hasn't been a problem.
You may need to pass a credit check. Two documents with your UK address should be enough.
How do I find a rental property?
Start by looking on Rightmove and go in-person to estate agents in Newbury (or the town you want to live in). Don’t bother with emails - they don’t get answered in the current climate. Phone the estate agents if you want to view somewhere. If your English isn’t too good it's better to take someone with you.
If you are looking for a room to rent look at websites such as
If you are looking for a flat or house to rent look at websites such as
Some Housing Associations will advertise their difficult to let properties on Zoopla. These are Sovereign Housing and Vivid. Just enter their names into Zoopla and any listings will come up and you can contact them direct.
They also have market rented properties these are the same as private rented and you can apply direct.
You will be expected to commit to a 1 year contract. It may be possible to negotiate for a 'break clause' after 6 months.
Should I rent with another family/friend?
It can be risky to enter into a legal contract with someone else in case something goes wrong. The more people who rent together, the greater the risk of someone wanting to leave early. Depending on the type of rental agreement, that could mean everyone has to leave, or no-one can. On the other hand, renting with a friend can help you save money on heating and food. The easiest way to do this is to each have your own contract with the landlord. For more information, look online or take advice