Living in the UK
Housing
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Renting: the right-to-rent check
In England, landlords must check every adult tenant's right to rent before the tenancy starts. For you, that means sharing a share code from View and Prove — nothing more. A landlord or agent may not demand a physical document that does not exist, may not refuse you because your status is digital, and may not treat pre-settled status as inferior for this purpose.
- Prove your right to rent (GOV.UK)
- Refused because of your status or nationality? See refused a tenancy.
Deposits — protected by law
In England and Wales, a deposit on an assured shorthold tenancy must be placed in a government-approved deposit protection scheme within 30 days, and you must be told which one. If it isn't, you can claim compensation of one to three times the deposit. Scotland and Northern Ireland run equivalent schemes.
Letting agents — check before you pay
Letting agents in England must belong to a government-approved redress scheme (the Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme) and must display their fees. Since 2019, most tenant fees are banned — an agent may not charge you for referencing, "administration" or check-in.
- Tenant Fees Act: what agents may charge (GOV.UK)
- The Property Ombudsman · Property Redress Scheme — check membership and complain for free.
Buying a home — the basics
There is no nationality restriction on buying property in the UK. Mortgage lenders will look at your status (settled status is straightforward; pre-settled status narrows the market but does not close it), your income and your UK credit history.
- Buying a home: the process (GOV.UK)
- MoneyHelper — free, government-backed guidance on mortgages and costs.
Homelessness help
If you are homeless or at risk within 56 days, your local council owes you help — advice and, depending on your status and circumstances, accommodation duties. Eligibility rules for EU citizens are complex (they interact with the same right-to-reside rules as benefits), and wrong refusals happen; get advice the same day.
- Shelter — emergency helpline 0808 800 4444, free.
- Help from the council (GOV.UK)
Council tax
Council tax funds local services and is paid by households, not by nationality. If you rent, check whose name the bill should be in. Discounts exist — a 25% single-person discount, student exemptions, and council-run reduction schemes if your income is low.
Last reviewed: July 2026.