When renting a property in the UK most landlords and letting agents will require students to have a 'guarantor'. A guarantor is usually a parent or legal guardian (although it can be someone else) who signs an agreement stating that he or she will be responsible for the rent, if for some reason the student is unable to or does not pay the rent.

Most landlords and letting agents will not accept a guarantor who is not residing in the UK.

Please note the RCA cannot act as a guarantor for students.

In cases where international students are not able to provide a guarantor, most landlords and letting agents will require three to six months rent in advance, in order to secure the property.

Therefore you will need to ensure that you have sufficient money available to you when you arrive. If you are unable to provide a guarantor or pay six months rent up front you may find it very difficult to secure a property.

If you find a property via a letting agent you may be required to pay agency fees on top of the deposits. Not all letting agents charge these fees but many do and they can range from £50 to £200. Agencies fees are often to cover:

• reference checks,
• property check in costs and
• additional administrative costs.