Step-by-step guide

Renting a home

Let's find you a great rental home. Here's everything you need to know about renting, from working out what you can afford to finding the perfect place and living in your rental home.

What you'll need to do

1
Preparing to rent

Before you start searching, let's set your budget and brush up on your rights as a renter. It'll all come in handy down the line.

See all articles

2
Find the perfect rental home

It's time to shortlist some properties and head out on some viewings. We're here to help you find a great rental pad.

See all articles

3
Apply and sort your references

You've found a place you love, but what happens next? Here's how to make an application, check your rental contract and get your deposit ready to go.

See all articles

4
Move in and decorate

Now for the exciting bit: it's time to get moving. Here are our tips for moving day and decorating your rental property.

See all articles

5
If something goes wrong

It's not always plain sailing in a rental home, but we're here to help. Here's how to handle any issues and stay in your landlord's good books.

See all articles

© 2025 Zoopla Limited. All rights reserved.

Sold house prices provided by Land Registry/Registers of Scotland. © Crown copyright 2025. Our website is completely free for you to use but we may receive a commission from some of the companies we link to on the site.

Zoopla Limited is an appointed representative of Uswitch Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 312850) to provide the mortgage calculator tool and incorporated with company registration number 06074771 and registered office at The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London SE1 2LH. Uswitch Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 312850.

Zoopla.co.uk is not a mortgage intermediary and makes introductions to Mojo Mortgages to provide mortgage solutions. Zoopla.co.uk and Mojo Mortgages are part of the same group of companies. Zoopla may receive an introduction fee from Mojo Mortgages on completion of successful mortgage applications. This fee is based on a percentage of your loan amount. Mojo is a trading style of Life's Great Limited which is registered in England and Wales (06246376) and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is on the Financial Services Register (478215). Mojo's registered office is The Cooperage, 5 Copper Row, London, SE1 2LH. To contact Mojo by phone, please call 0333 123 0012.