Property Reference Check

[User541247]

Our family will move to London soon, My DH has just opened a company in the UK. Now we are in rent a property phase. Due to this situation, even though we have enough balance in the bank and show the statements to households, one of the letting agents told us that we can not pass financial reference test needed by landlords. And he advised us to pay the rent 12 upfront.
Do you think it is normal?
And second question, the agent told me that we will pay the rent to the agent not to landlord directly. Is this a normal situation? In our country, we pay the rent directly to landlord.

It is very normal to pay the letting agent in the UK although both that and paying the landlord directly are possible. You might be able to negotiate to only pay 6 months up front - but self- employed with no credit reference then yes upfront payment would also be normal.

If the landlord is using an Agent yes it is normal to pay the rent to the agent. This allows the agent to take mgt costs etc.

Thanks for the answers, how can I or landlord be sure, the agency will pay from upfront to landlord every month in due date? The agent told me that even though I pay the rent upfront 6/12 months, they pay to landlord monthly. In this case, who is taking the risk of mispayment, me or landlord?

The landlord.

Get a written receipt for the rent money paid upfront which details the property address and landlord name and address - you are entitled by law to contact details for the landlord. Read the government How to Rent guide for more information on how things work in England and Wales.

Yes, definitely read the how to rent guide on gov.UK. ( BTW there is a different one for wales). If a landlord doesnt comply, go elsewhere.

What you are asking is wise - I asked it too as a landlord to make sure the rent is ringfenced. The landlord will receive one months rent at a time.

BTW you also need to be checked under the right to rent legislation, which is the same for all tenants. Don't be offended.