How to Rent Property for the First Time in Central London

Being a first-time renter in Marylebone, Baker Street, Mayfair or other central/North West London neighbourhood should be an exciting prospect, but it can also be stressful. This guide contains advice for first time renters wanting to make a confident step towards becoming a tenant. 

Great properties to rent in areas such as Soho and Primrose Hill are in demand. And while you might feel the pressure to sign up for the first place you see, remember that it will be your rental home for a reasonable length of time and you want to be happy there. 

This first time renters checklist explains, in detail, the 9 steps every novice renter should take, from money matters to moving in. 

1. Determine Your Budget 

You should only consider properties that you can comfortably afford. A landlord or letting agent will require your rent to be a maximum of 35% of your take-home pay. 

As a first time renter with a lack of rental references and little-to-no credit history, it can be hard to prove that you can afford the annual rent. This is why a landlord or letting agent may perform a rent check to establish if your earnings cover the monthly costs on paper. 

Once you have moved in, you will have ongoing costs in addition to your rent. These include: 

• Council tax – Council tax is a large, ongoing cost. In Soho (Westminster Council), for example, the annual council tax rate for 2025/26 is between £678.12 (band A) and £2,034.36 (band H), per annum. 
• Utility bills – The cost of water, gas and electricity combined can exceed £500 a month in London, depending on your usage and energy provider rates. 
• Broadband – You can expect to pay £20 to £50 for broadband per month  
• TV subscriptions – As well as paying your TV licence, any additional TV and streaming subscriptions such as Sky, Virgin, Netflix, Amazon Prime etc. will be added to your monthly outgoings. 
• General living costs – You’ll need to budget for living costs such as groceries, clothing, leisure activities and travel/vehicle running costs. 

Security Deposit 

You will also need to budget for your security deposit – expect this to be 5 or 6 weeks’ worth of rent. Your deposit will be retained by the landlord for the length of the tenancy and protected in a tenant deposit scheme. A first time renter needs to have saved enough to cover upfront costs before moving in, or they will inevitably fall at the first hurdle. 

Using A Guarantor 

We are often asked ‘do first time renters need a guarantor?’5 or That question will become more common after 1^st May 2026, when rent in advance payments are banned and a landlord or letting agent seeks extra financial security.  You may need a guarantor if you have insufficient earnings to support the annual rent – this is someone who agrees to pay the monthly rent should the tenant fail to. 

If you have limited credit history or a poor credit rating, the letting agent or landlord may insist you have a guarantor before they allow you to rent a property. A guarantor will need including on the tenancy agreement, confirming that they are prepared to pay any missed rent payments. 

2. Be Ready For The Referencing Process 

One of our top tips for first time renters is to be in a position to act quickly should you find your dream pad, so make sure you have all the paperwork to hand for rent and credit checks. To be fully prepared, you should gather together the following: 

• Passport – You’ll need to show your passport to prove that your immigration status passes the UK’s Right to Rent checks. 
• Utility bills – You’ll need recent water, gas and electricity bills that show your current address. Utility bills will usually be required to be dated within the last six months. 
• Employer reference contact details – Your prospective landlord or letting agent can request contact details for your employer to check that you earn enough to pay the annual rent. 
• Holding deposit – Paying a holding deposit usually prompts the landlord or their letting agent to take the property off the market. If you go ahead, this will be refunded through your first month’s rent. 

A first time renter can give themselves a headstart by getting these documents and proof of funds ready before they start looking for a London rental. You will make a better impression if you appear organised and knowledgeable. 

3. Starting Your Search 

Any good first time renter checklist addresses search criteria. Remember the best places to live in London can vary depending on your own requirements. 

These are some of the factors to consider for your search: 

• Transport links – Think about the transport links you rely on for getting to work or to visit friends and family. How close is the nearest train or Tube? 
• Do you need a parking space? – Many properties in London do not have parking spaces, so use an appropriate filter to find properties with parking if this is a crucial requirement. Also factor in whether you’ll need a parking permit and if this has a cost attached. 
• Garden access – Again, many London properties have limited space and therefore may not have access to a garden or outdoor terrace. If this is important to you as a first time renter, your search criteria should include this. 
• Number of bedrooms – Do you need a certain number of bedrooms? If you are sharing a property or regularly have people staying over, specify the number of bedrooms on your search. 
• Furnished or unfurnished? – You may already own furniture and need an unfurnished property, or a furnished property may fit your needs better. 

Use our property search function to find rental homes in your desired area. Register your criteria with a local letting agent like Kubie Gold who can keep you updated as new properties come onto the books. 

4. Viewing Properties 

As you view a flat or house, you should take note of its pros and cons. Unexpected quirks or problems can be hidden, so attention to detail is important. Use this first time renter checklist of things to consider when you view a property: 

• Look at walls and ceilings for signs of damp 
• Test the taps, toilet and shower to make sure they work and have a good water pressure 
• Check the property is secure with insurance-compliant locks on doors and windows 
• Check there’s a good mobile/5G phone signal 
• If you’re a cyclist, check there’s somewhere to store your bike 
• If you’re a driver, make sure there’s somewhere to park – and if there’s allocated parking, don’t take it for granted that there’s a parking space assigned to the house or apartment 
• Are all the appliances and furnishings included? Never assume – always make sure you’ve seen it in writing before you sign a contract for your rental property 
• Listen out for excessive ambient noise or signs that it could present an issue 
• Notice the condition of neighbouring properties 
• Make sure there is a valid Gas Safety Certificate covering appliances 

If there is anything you’re unsure about, ask the letting agent or landlord before you sign the contract. For example, you might want to check who is responsible for maintaining the garden and whether there are any restrictions on having pets or smoking on the premises. 

Check if there are any additional charges that you may need to pay, and make sure you understand what they are for. 

Any other questions? Don’t go blank when the landlord or letting agent poses this question, and don’t feel awkward about enquiring if there’s anything you’re unsure of. Find out what to ask when you view rental properties here and go through the questions listed below. 

5. Questions To Ask The Landlord 

First time renters will find it beneficial to prepare a set of questions to ask the landlord or letting agent. This will ensure the property has everything that you need and that you are comfortable with the arrangements. The types of questions you might want to ask include: 

• Are water, gas and electricity bills included in the rent? 
• What furniture is included with the property? 
• Who is the contact for the property? i.e. the letting agent or landlord? 
• Are pets allowed in the property? 
• Who is responsible for maintenance of outdoor space or communal areas? 
• What is the energy efficiency rating? 
• When was the boiler or alarm system serviced? 
• Does the property have its own parking space? 
• Do first time renters need a guarantor? 

You may also want to ask about the area and the neighbours to get a better idea of whether you will enjoy living there. 

6. Applying For A Rental Property 

When you apply for a rental property, there a several processes you will need to go through: 

• Reference checks – These can include previous landlord references, employer references or references from a college tutor. 
• Holding deposit – Some properties will require you to pay a holding deposit to secure the rental. This can’t be more than one week’s rent and it will be deducted from future rent payments. 
• Tenancy agreement – As a first time renter, read the tenancy carefully before you sign it, as it is a legally binding document. Check details such as deposit amount, rent payment amounts and due dates. There should also be an inventory included, which details what is included in the property and what condition items are in. If you are responsible for any maintenance, this should also be included in the agreement. 
• Rent and deposit payments – When you have secured the property, you will be asked to pay the first month’s rent and the security deposit, which is capped at 5 weeks’ worth of rent (unless the rent is more than £50K annually, in which case the deposit limit is 6 weeks’ rent). All deposits taken by a landlord or letting agent must be protected by a government approved tenancy deposit protection scheme. 

If you feel you need advice before signing, ask for clarification, contact a solicitor or Citizen’s Advice. 

7. Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) 

You will be required to pay a deposit that will be held for the duration of the tenancy. This provides the landlord with compensation if you damage the property or its contents. All deposits must be registered with a government approved tenancy deposit scheme. This guarantees that the money will be protected and provides a resolution service should there be a deposit dispute.  

The landlord or letting agent must place your deposit in the government approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days. Find out any details of when the deposit can be fully or partly withheld (for example to repair damage you’ve caused). Your landlord must return your deposit within 10 days of you both agreeing how much you’ll get back. 

The Tenant Fees Act caps deposits at five weeks’ rent, provided the annual rent is below £50,000. For properties with a yearly rental value in excess of £50,000, security deposits are capped at six weeks. 

8. Moving In 

To avoid any future disputes with your landlord or other potential issues, there are some actions you can take to protect yourself: 

1. Review the inventory – You should meticulously check that everything in the inventory is accurate. If any items are missing or you think the condition has been recorded incorrectly, raise this before you sign. 
2. Take photos – If there are any issues that you think could come into dispute, such as a cracked tile, scratch on a table, wall scuffs etc. take photos and flag the issues with the landlord, so you have an audit trail. This will help to ensure you get your full deposit back at the end of your tenancy. Keep a copy of the inventory. 
3. Setting up utilities – As a first time renter, setting up utilities can potentially catch you out. The letting agent may offer to switch water, gas and electricity bills into your name but you should check you are not charged for utilities prior to your move in date. To do this, you should take water, gas and electricity meter readings as soon as you move in. You should also contact the energy suppliers to confirm your move in date, sharing the readings taken. 
4. Arrange insurance – Make sure you have contents insurance. Your landlord is required to insure the building and contents they provide but you need to arrange cover for your own personal belongings. 
5. Check smoke alarms – Smoke alarms are required on all floors of your home and carbon monoxide detectors in any room with fuel burning appliances, such as wood or coal. As part of your check-in process, the letting agent or landlord should test that these are working on the first day of the tenancy. 
6. Save the landlord’s contact details – Make sure you have your landlord or managing agent’s contact details and know how to report issues. 
7. Check your documents – Make sure you have all the essential documents you need for your tenancy to proceed. 

Want to know more?  You can also read about renting to students in Central London, discover tips on right to rent checks for London landlords and explore renting out a property for the first time.

9. During Your Tenancy 

As a first time renter, you may be unaware of your responsibilities, including how to act in a ‘tenant-like manner’. Make sure that you don’t breach any terms of the tenancy agreement by following this advice for first time renters: 

Pay Rent On Time 

As a tenant your biggest responsibility is to pay your rent on time. You’ll need to set up a standing order or direct debit so your monthly rent can be paid automatically from your bank account on a set date. It’s a good idea to make sure this is all in place before your first payment is due. This avoids problems with missed payments and the possibility of falling behind with your rent.  

Check Your Notice Period 

Make sure you know what notice periods are required if you or the landlord want to end the tenancy. Notice periods for tenants and landlords change on 1^st May 2026 as part of the Renters’ Rights Act. 

Maintenance And Care 

Look after the fixtures and fittings, and use appliances with care. Another simple but essential responsibility is keeping the property, and the grounds within its boundary, clean/tidy. 

Understand What Changes Are Permitted 

If you love the property but have issues with the décor, you need to find out whether redecorating is allowed – alterations should never be undertaken without the landlord’s permission. It’s likely any permitted changes will need reversing when the tenancy ends. 

Report Maintenance Issues Promptly 

Don’t wait to report minor maintenance problems. When you alert your landlord or letting agent early on, they can usually remedy the issue before it becomes more serious. Failure to mention any problems from the outset could threaten your deposit. 

Be A Good Tenant 

Be considerate to your neighbours and maintain a good working relationship with your landlord or letting agent. Antisocial behaviour is a breach of contract, so be respectful and keep noise to a minimum. 

Your Landlord’s Responsibility To You 

Your landlord or letting agent also has responsibilities to you as a tenant. Use this first time renters checklist as a starting point. A landlord or letting agent should be: 

• Carrying out an annual gas safety check and providing copies of Gas Safety Certificates 
• Renewing the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years 
• Providing a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) showing at least an E rating unless the property is exempt 
• Undertaking a Legionella risk assessment 
• Maintaining the property’s exterior and its structure 
• Insuring the rental property 
• Arranging repairs when required 
• Installing a smoke alarm on each floor 
• Fitting a carbon monoxide alarm in every room with a fuel burning appliance 
• Keeping landlord-supplied appliances and furniture in good working condition 
• Keeping the property’s water, electricity and gas supply maintained 
• Getting a licence for the property, if required 
• Giving at least 24 hours’ notice, in writing, before gaining entry to the property for maintenance, inspections or viewings 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Conclusion 

If you’re looking for a property to rent in London areas including St John’s Wood and Maida Vale, contact Kubie Gold today.