Flat rental without a job - will I have problems?

Hello all,

I'm over in London now, living in temporary accommodations for the time being. I had planned on renting a flat for the start of July, but it looks like it's going to take a little longer than expected for me to get a job here (slow interview processes).

Will I have any trouble renting a flat if I don't have a job? I can provide first and last months rent without issue, but with no credit history and no job will landlords be wary of me?

Also, I notice that flat rentals tend to be listed as a rate per week. Do they rent them out that way (by the week, rather than by the month)?

Finally, I know what my budget is for a flat. Is there a site that would give me a good idea what my price range would get me in various parts of the city?

Thanks,
Greg

I think that without any job you will find it almost impossible to rent a flat unless you provide a large deposit (more than for 2 months).they usually also ask for references (from the UK) will you be able to provide that?

They list the price per week but you usually pay the rent every month. The lease is usually for 6 months or 12 months.

I think you are better trying to find a place where they are looking for a roommate.the time that you find a job, references and build your credit score.

To set up the utility bills can be difficult too if you don't have any credit history, they will ask you for a large deposit.

I don't know the prices in London but I know it is really expensive !
Good Luck (sorry not to be to positive )

I think it is too tough to get an independent flat without a job. Even in Canada they sometimes ask for 6 month deposits in Toronto, although I hope things have changed. No credit history or references or job history makes it too tough.

you can try this site flatmateclick.co.uk and also gumtree.com

are you looking to share a flat with roommates or do you want your own place?

I think it is too tough to get an independent flat without a job. Even in Canada they sometimes ask for 6 month deposits in Toronto, although I hope things have changed. No credit history or references or job history makes it too tough.

i never encountered this when i was living in toronto. if you are renting from an apartment building they generally will conduct a credit check and if you are renting from a landlord they will ask for first and last upfront.

It too hard to get a flat on rent if you don't have a job, it is only possible when you can give them a good amount of deposit. So just just get some job until you get the good job.

We ran into this problem we we moved to Sheffield. My partner is a student, and I was unemployed at the time, so they required a UK resident with a stable income and good credit rating to sign as a guarantor OR we could pay for the whole lease up-front. We went with the latter, because we just did not know anyone in the UK that was able to sign as a guarantor. We were lucky in that we'd been saving up to come over anyway so we had the cash available, and there was two of us to split it, and we were able to sign a 6-month lease (even though we had plans to stay for a year). We're still in a crap boat, 7 months after - signing that original lease meant that we are not able to renew our lease on a month to month basis, but we can simply inform our letting agent 1 month in advance if we wish to stay. So we're in the process of signing another three 2-month leases to make it easier for us to pay. (My partner has a lot of liquid assets, and I'm working for a temp agency so my income is a bit tenuous at times - its easier for me to pay him back than freak out about not meeting rent every month).

You'll find the problem is not only having A job but having a job that the rental agency (or whoever) will accept as being stable as providing enough income to cover your rent and reasonable living expenses. Also, having a credit rating doesn't matter - As far as I can tell they generally don't do credit checks on your financial background abroad. Police checks (my job required a criminal records disclosure which took FOREVER because they had to write to Canada) but not credit checks.

you can try this site flatmateclick.co.uk and also gumtree.com

are you looking to share a flat with roommates or do you want your own place?

Hey Sarah thanks a lot for the site. In fact I am a student and I am looking for a flat at rent but the thing is I don't have job right now (though I am trying to find one part time job). My landlord had given me the notice period. I was really stressed out because of it. Thanks for the link again. I hope I got the flat sooner.