Apartment in London — how to rent, prices, neighborhoods, deposit, contracts (2026)

Apartment in London — overview

London (Greater London) has ~9 million residents, a huge rental market. The Polish community in London is ~200k people (the densest Polish community in the UK).

Most popular Polish neighborhoods

• Ealing (W5, W7, W13) — historic Polish hub, Polish church (Notting Hill), Polish shops
• Hammersmith (W6, W12) — Polish presence
• Acton (W3) — growing Polish
• Hounslow (TW3-TW5) — large Polish community
• Wimbledon (SW19) — Polish + Hindu community
• Streatham (SW16) — affordable, Polish
• Walthamstow (E17) — east, affordable
• Tooting (SW17) — Polish + multicultural

Prices 2026 (typically per month, unfurnished/part-furnished)

Prices are continually rising in 2024-26. Check current listings: Zoopla, Rightmove.

Rental process — step by step

Step 1: Determine your budget

Rule of thumb: rent < 30-40% of net income. Sum up:

• Monthly rent
• Council Tax
• Utilities (gas, electricity, water): £100-200/month
• Internet/TV: £30-60
• Transport

Step 2: Choose a neighborhood

• Proximity to work (commute time)
• Transport links (Tube, Overground, bus)
• Polish community (if important)
• Safety (check local statistics)
• Schools (if with children)
• Polish shops, church (if important)

Step 3: Apartment search

• Rightmove.co.uk — largest
• Zoopla.co.uk
• OnTheMarket.com
• SpareRoom.co.uk — for flat shares
• OpenRent.co.uk — landlords directly
• Gumtree — beware of scams
• Facebook Polish groups — "Poles in London", "Polish London"

Step 4: Viewings

• Schedule through an agent
• 10-30 min per viewing
• Check:
  • Condition of the apartment, damp, mold
  • Heating, hot water, appliances
  • Safety (lock, intercom)
  • Noise (evening time)
  • Internet/cell coverage
  • Storage, drying space
  • Neighbors
• Ask about utilities cost from previous tenant

Step 5: Making an offer + documents

Required:

• Passport / EU ID / BRP card — Right to Rent check
• Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
• Proof of income — payslips for 3 months, bank statements
• References:
  • Previous landlord (if any)
  • Employer
  • Sometimes character reference
• Guarantor — if income < 3x rent (UK-based, typically owns property)
• Holding deposit — 1 week rent (max under law)

Right to Rent check

Landlords MUST check right to rent (immigration status). Accepted:

• British passport / British citizen ID
• EU/EEA/Swiss passport (with pre-settled or settled status)
• BRP (Biometric Residence Permit)
• Polish passport (with EU Settlement Scheme status)

Without right to rent — landlord cannot legally rent.

Step 6: Rental agreement (AST)

Assured Shorthold Tenancy — standard type:

• Term: typically 6 or 12 months fixed
• After fixed term: rolling monthly tenancy
• Notice from landlord: 2 months minimum (Section 21) — being phased out 2026+
• Notice from tenant: typically 1 month

Read carefully:

• Rent amount + due date
• Deposit amount + protection scheme
• Inventory + check-in report
• Inclusions (furniture, appliances)
• Repairs responsibility
• Allowed alterations
• Pets policy
• Smoking policy
• Subletting rules
• End-of-tenancy cleaning

Step 7: Deposit + first month rent

• Deposit: max 5 weeks rent (under Tenant Fees Act 2019)
• First month rent
• Total upfront: ~6 weeks rent = £2,500-5,000 typically

Step 8: Deposit Protection

Landlord MUST deposit in a protected scheme within 30 days:

• DPS (Deposit Protection Service) — custodial or insurance
• MyDeposits
• TDS (Tenancy Deposit Scheme)

You receive a protection certificate. Without protection — you can claim 1-3x deposit + cannot use Section 21.

Step 9: Move-in + inventory

• Check check-in inventory carefully
• Take photos of the apartment's condition
• Note all defects in writing
• Report utilities providers (gas, electricity, water)
• Report to council about move-in (Council Tax)

Tenant Fees Act 2019

Since 2019, fees charged to tenants are prohibited:

Prohibited

• Agency fees
• Referencing fees
• Credit check fees
• Inventory fees
• Cleaning fees (upon move-out, unless contract conditions)
• Renewal fees

Allowed

• Rent
• Deposit (max 5 weeks rent)
• Holding deposit (max 1 week)
• Default fees (e.g. late rent, lost keys)
• Council Tax, utilities

Common pitfalls

Scams

• Pay only after viewing
• NEVER full payment before signing
• Verify landlord owns property (Land Registry £3)
• Check agent with trade association (ARLA Propertymark, NRLA)
• Beware of "too good to be true" deals

Inventory disputes

• Take comprehensive photos upon move-in
• Note defects in writing
• End-of-tenancy — request inventory check
• Disputes through deposit scheme arbitration

Repairs

• Landlord: structural, heating, water, electric
• Tenant: minor things, light bulbs
• Major issues — request repair in writing
• Right to Repair scheme

Polish services in London

• Polish Property Centre (Ealing)
• Polish-speaking estate agents
• Polish letting agents
• Polish builders/handymen in Polish neighborhoods

Practical tips

• Zoopla, Rightmove — main search
• Right to Rent check with passport + status
• Max 5 weeks deposit + 1 month rent upfront
• Deposit protection mandatory within 30 days
• Photo everything upon move-in
• AST standard tenancy 6-12 months
• Polish neighborhoods for community
• Council Tax mandatory from move-in
• Tenant Fees Act 2019 — protects against fees
• Citizens Advice for dispute help